Height-ened expectations for Tenorio as he awaits giant upgrade from draft

LA Tenorio expects a major upgrade for Ginebra from the coming rookie draft. Jerome Ascano

BARANGAY Ginebra playmaker LA Tenorio has heightened expectations for the new season with the arrival of a big man through the PBA rookie draft set on November 3 at Robinson’s Place Manila.

Tenorio, who returned to practice only on Monday after taking a two-week break that included a vacation in Hong Kong with his family, said choosing between seven-footer Greg Slaughter or 6-7 Ian Sangalang from the draft won’t be a problem for him because both big men are capable of competing in the PBA.

“Sa Gilas, nakasama ko naman si Greg so I know how he plays. Si Ian naman, I heard he can shoot from the outside and he has great footwork. Either way, iyan dalawa lang naman ang pagpipilian ng (Ginebra) coaching staff,” Tenorio told Spin.ph.

The 5-8 Gilas Pilipinas mainstay admitted the minutes he had last season has taken its toll on him physically, especially when resident star Mark Caguioa went down with two MCL (medial collateral ligament) sprains on both knees during the course of the season.

Barangay Ginebra also lost athletic big man Japeth Aguilar to an MCL sprain on his right knee during the team’s third game in the Governors' Cup, which also added to Tenorio’s problems.

“Kaya medyo nakatulong naman ang pahinga ko. Nag-out of the country kaming family sa Hong Kong. So maganda din itong break, makapagpahinga kaming lahat, lalo na yung mga may injuries,” he said.

Tenorio earned his first Best Player of the Conference plum after leading the Gin Kings to a runner-up finish behind Alaska in the Commissioner’s Cup.