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| LA Tenorio could be donning a Magnolia playing jersey on Sunday night. PBA Images (file photo) |
MANILA—With the injury bug haunting his team in Manama early Tuesday (Philippine Time), LA Tenorio could be "unretiring" ahead of a crucial showdown between Mangolia and TNT on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The PBA announced on Saturday that the Hotshots have activated Tenorio for the said battle, which could decide which among them and the Tropang 5G would clinch a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals this coming Christmas weekend.
Tenorio replaced Paul Lee, who was relegated to the injured list, on the active roster.
Lee suffered a hamstring injury during Magnolia's tough loss to Rain Or Shine at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in the Bahraini capital that dealt a huge blow to the Hotshots' chances of making the Top 4.
Jerom Lastimosa also got hurt in the said game after a "high" ankle sprain, and like Lee, he is also doubtful for the Sunday night game against TNT.
The lack of depth at the guard positions prompted the Hotshots to set up a possible playing comeback for Tenorio, who is actually listed as a "playing head coach" for the conference.
TNT head coach Chot Reyes, though, is not surprised that Magnolia would green-light Tenorio's return as a player.
"That's something na naisip ko right away noong pinanood ko last game nila, and it's not surprising kasi ilang beses na nangyari yan even noong nasa Ginebra pa siya," Reyes said.
Playing sporadically since his Iron Man streak was snapped, Tenorio last suited up during last season's Philippine Cup semifinals, burying a dagger three in Game 6 that kept the Gin Kings alive in the series, only that the San Miguel Beermen eventually clinched it in Game 7 en route to the championship.
Meanwhile, the PBA also announced that Yukien Andrada, the sixth pick of the recent draft, has been activated for Sunday night.
This means the six-foot-five stretch forward will go up against his collegiate coach, Tropang 5G assistant coach Yuri Escueta, eight days after they helped the San Beda Red Lions reclaim the NCAA men's basketball title.
Magnolia has yet to divulge the details of Andrada's rookie contract.
A win by TNT will complete the Top 4 cast for the quarterfinals along with SMB, ROS, and Converge.
However, the Hotshots can steal the twice-to-beat advantage from the Tropang 5G if they win by 13 points or more, regardless of what happens to the other Sunday night game between the Gin Kings and Titan Ultra Giant Risers.
Magnolia can still move up to the Top 4 even if they only win by 9-12 points, but the team must hope for a Ginebra win later in the night.
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