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CLARK – LA Tenorio hopes to keep his PBA Iron Man streak alive even as he continues to recover from an emergency laparoscopic appendectomy. The point guard for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel finally arrived at the PBA Bubble inside the Quest Plus Hotel here in Clark, Pampanga, on Wednesday afternoon, where he is now isolated while awaiting the result of his swab test.
The 36-year veteran has proven to be the longest-lasting player in the PBA, not missing a single game since he was selected fourth overall in the 2006 PBA Rookie Draft.
Tenorio revealed that he felt a pain in his stomach two weeks ago during a Zoom workout with his fellow Barangay Guiners. At first he thought it was from food poisoning, but quickly thought it was something else when the pain persisted and kept him awake.
Knowing that all the signs pointed to appendicitis, Tenorio went to the hospital where he was immediately admitted for the operation.
“I’m still grateful that it didn’t happen inside the bubble because it will upset a lot of people if it happened here,” Tenorio shared in Filipino. “It is still difficult because my doctor is not here and my family also cares about me, but I am currently on the day to day. I still do not know if I will be ready for Sunday.”
It typically takes 24 to 48 hours before the swab test result comes out, but Tenorio hopes the process will speed up so he can meet with his team in practice, even if he’s not preparing yet.
“I have been talking to my doctor. He asks if there is still discharge, but he told me that I am physically fine because I can now use my core. It is only the outer wound that needs to heal. I will try. Hopefully by Friday or on Saturday, I could do a treadmill or ride a bike. “
The last few weeks have been very hectic for the Tenorio family as they welcomed a new member to their family, his wife Chesca, who gave birth a week before the guard’s operation. Tenorio noted that this series of events made him think twice about joining the PBA bubble.
“It was a difficult decision to make. We thought better of joining the bubble because we do not know how my body would react because it is the first time I have surgery. But when the doctor assured us that the healing process would take two to three weeks Then we decided to move on, “he said. “I may miss a game, but it’s not how we started but how we finished.”
At this point, Tenorio really couldn’t control the circumstances of his first game against the NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday, as it’s very difficult to guess how well his wound will heal at that point. Still, Tenorio knows that his mere presence would already be useful to his teammates.
“Even if I couldn’t play, I still wanted to be here with the team. As one of the leaders of the team, I know it’s important for my teammates to see me. Just to be here to support them,” he said. Plus, he knew how important the PBA bubble is to moving the league forward.
“I wanted to support the PBA and also Commissioner Willie (Marcial). I was one of the voices of the players to help make this happen. We worked together on this, so I wanted to be here.”
Tenorio has played 641 consecutive games in the PBA. On October 11, he might have to pass the Iron Man mantle from PBA to Magnolia’s Mark Barroca. However, Tenorio doesn’t want it canceled just yet.
“It may be just adrenaline, but don’t be surprised if I play on Sunday.”
