FOR LA Tenorio, the 2013 Gilas Pilipinas team was 'something special.'
That batch of the national squad set in the stage for the country's return to the FIBA World Cup after a 36-year absence by doing the improbable probable.
The Filipinos bucked the absence of naturalized player Marcus Douthit in the semifinals of the FIBA Asia Men's Championship against South Korea and pulled off a dramatic 86-79 win before a jampacked crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena exactly seven years ago today.
The triumph clinched for the host country its first trip back to the World Cup since 1978 and a place in the finals of the Asian meet against powerhouse Iran.
Their big fighting heart or 'Puso' as they say, carried the Filipinos to the electrifying victory, ending years of being under the binding spell of the Korean curse.
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But the solid camaraderie built among players and coaching staff, according to Tenorio, was what allowed that unit to take its act to the next level.
"That group was really special. The whole process of going to the World Cup was an experience itself," said the Barangay Ginebra guard.
"We've gotten to know each other kahit magkakalaban kami (sa PBA)," added Tenorio.
It was during those time that Tenorio developed a close bond with fellow guards Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro, both of whom were his rivals at TnT Katropa.
"That was my first time to team up with Jimmy," he recalled.
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Having forged a deep friendship with the national team, Tenorio and Alapag, along with the rest of the players set aside their egos and worked for a common goal.
"Yun ang ginawa namin. I think coach Chot (Reyes) and Jimmy and Gabe (Norwood) - Gilas co-captains - did a really good job na pagsama-samahin kami," recalled the 36-year-old Tenorio.
"It wasn't just like being teammates, but we really became a family."
Tenorio said it is the best advice he can give to future batch of Gilas Pilipinas team if asked what made the national squad clicked together during his time.
"I think if the next group would really want to go to the next level like the World Cup or the Olympics, the team really has to be special hindi lang sa basketball," said the Ginebra veteran.
"The relationship outside basketball is really important." (RG)
