MEET THE LEAGUE’S NEW IRON MAN — 328 STRAIGHT GAMES AND COUNTING
Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio may not fit your typical ‘Iron Man.’ For one, he stands only 5-foot-8, shorter than most basketball players in the PBA.
And because of his height, you often see him crashing the floor when bumped or pushed around by bigger and heftier opponents in highly physical encounters especially come the playoffs.
But while he may not be made of stone or metal, Tenorio has made a case for himself as far as durability and toughness in the league is concerned.
Unknown to many, since entering the league as the fourth overall pick of San Miguel Beer in the 2006 PBA Draft, Tenorio has yet to miss a game for his mother team in the pros.
From being a Beermen to later on becoming an Alaska Aces and through this day with the Kings, Tenorio has played in all of the 328 career games he has suited up. Not one injury has forced him to miss a game nor has he been benched by his coach.
The 328 is already the second all-time longest streak for consecutive games played in the PBA, next only to Alvin Patrimonio’s 596 straight from Oct. 20, 1992 up to Oct. 29, 2004 with Purefoods.
More than a year ago, Tenorio broke the erstwhile second longest streak for consecutive games played of 280 by Ginebra’s Dante Gonzalgo from Mar. 22, 1987 up to July 18, 1991, happening June 1 last year when his then team Alaska was routed by Powerade 117-94 early in the Governors’ Cup.
“Tagal na pala, ano? Hindi ko rin napapansin pero oo nga, hindi pa nga ako nakaka-miss ng laro mula nang pumasok ako sa PBA,” said Tenorio when informed of his feat.
What’s his secret to this rare endurance?
“I do extra work lang parati like weight training tapos therapy lang after to prevent injuries and siyempre ang pinaka-importante sa akin yung prayers. Malaking tulong sa akin ang pagdadasal palagi na lagi akong healthy at malayo sa injury,” he revealed.
Following his accomplished mission with Gilas Pilipinas where they finished second to Iran in the recent FIBA-Asia Championships and qualified for next year’s FIBA World Cup, a first for the country since 1985, Tenorio has no plans of slowing down, unlike a couple of his teammates.
Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine and Larry Fonacier of Talk ‘N Text rested their weary bodies at the start of the Governors’ Cup, ending their consecutive games played streaks at 187 and 186, respectively.
Tenorio said the week’s rest is enough for him.
“Tama na yung ilang araw na pahinga. Nagbalik ensayo na ako sa Ginebra last Thursday. Mahirap pag napahinga ng matagal. Baka mawala tayo sa kundisyon,” he explained on the eve of the Kings’ debut Sunday against Petron Blaze in the season-ending tournament.
While he may still be a far 269 games away from breaking Patrimonio’s record, Tenorio is happy he has this chance to get near what was once thought of as an unbreakable record.
“Malay mo, di ba? May awa ang Diyos. Basta every game ready lang ako. Every practice at sa games, hindi naman ako nagre-relax eh. Go hard lang parati. Lalo na matagal na ring hindi nagcha-champion ang Ginebra,” he said.
The PBA’s original ‘Iron Man’ was Jimmy Noblezada who played for Carrier and Utex from 1975 to 1981. The 6-foot-3 Noblezada was a “fearlessly rugged power forward who always lived to his ‘Iron Man’ billing with his powerful board recoveries, spirited lane drives and relentless guarding,” as his profile in the 1981 PBA Annual described him.
Later on, the ‘Iron Man’ tag was often attributed to Gonzalgo and and later to Patrimonio when they went on their consecutive games streak at the peak of their careers.
Now it’s Tenorio’s turn. (FM)
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