After finally getting elusive PH Cup title, Tenorio gets 'bonus' as Finals MVP

LA Tenorio receives his Finals MVP trophy from reporters present at the PBA bubble. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--LA Tenorio witnessed Ginebra winning its last PBA Philippine Cup title in 2007 being in the losing side of the finals then, that is, San Miguel.

This year, he witnessed the Barangay reclaiming the much coveted championship, but this time with him leading the way.

Tenorio's court generalship paved the way for Ginebra's successful conquest of the bubble, and that merited him a nod from the PBA Press Corps for him to be named the Most Valuable Player of the Finals.

Tenorio averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game against TNT in the championship.

In the title clincher on Wednesday night at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center, Tenorio nearly matched his averages, putting up 10 points, six assists, two rebounds, and one steal.

Upon receiving the trophy from the reporters who were inside the bubble, chants of "MVP" quickly resounded from his teammates even as Coach Tim Cone threw him some confetti just as he was about to speak.

"All-Filipino championship lang yung hiniling ko sa Panginoon, pero binigyan pa ako ng bonus," said Tenorio, who finally got a Philippine Cup title after it being elusive to him in his first 14 seasons in the league.

The Finals MVP award capped a successful bounce back for Tenorio from someone whose "Iron Man" streak was suddenly in peril following a laparoscopic surgery before entering the Angeles bubble to eventually retaking his role as the Barangay's vocal leader.

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