He’s seen it all, after all.
LA Tenorio has been to many battles here and abroad.
That’s why when the battle-tested Tenorio said Gilas Pilipinas’ journey to the FIBA World Cup won’t be easy, then trust him that such will be the case.
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel skipper, who is now battling colon cancer, experienced that firsthand.
Tenorio was part of the national team that locked horns with some of the world's top basketball teams in the 2014 edition of the basketball showcase in Spain.
With the likes of Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Andray Blatche, Gabe Norwood, and Marc Pingris, that squad went home with a historic overtime win against Senegal and the respect of the basketball community.
But before touching the hearts of Filipino and foreign fans alike in the world stage, the Filipino cagers had a tough journey starting from the then FIBA Asia Championship held in the country in 2013, where they ended up as runner-up to powerhouse Iran.
But it’s going to be meaningful in the end, too.
“It’s not gonna be easy for sure, the journey, but it’s gonna be very meaningful and once in a lifetime experience,” he said.
“Especially suwerte sila, playing in our country 'di ba? Dito sila maglalaro. Dun pa lang panalo na sila eh.”
There are only 122 days left before Gilas plays against some of the world's the best teams again in the conclave the Philippines is hosting after 45 years. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and San Miguel Corporation agreed on a partnership to ensure the success of the event.
And the journey starts with the Southeast Asian Games next month in Cambodia.
With the 47th season of the PBA over, the national team is expected to go full throttle as far as preparation is concerned.
(With reports from Martie Bautista, News5)