BY JONAS TERRADO
LA Tenorio understands that he has no control over his chances of suiting up in Sunday’s PBA Philippine Cup restart featuring Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and NLEX at the Angeles University Foundation gym.
The Ginebra floor general, who entered the Clark bubble on Wednesday, remains day-to-day after undergoing an appendectomy two weeks ago which could put to a halt his record 641 consecutive games.
“If you’re gonna ask me, I want to play on Sunday. But day-to-day e,” Tenorio said in Wednesday’s episode of 2OT.
Tenorio has never missed a game since turning pro in 2006, and had been making preparations for the bubble when his appendix was removed in an operation last Sept. 25.
So far, Tenorio has been told by his doctor that he is on pace to meet the recovery period of 2-3 weeks.
Whether he is allowed to suit up and get some playing time in time for Sunday remains to be seen.
“Thankful pa rin ako na nangyari ‘to, yun nga lang hindi ko rin alam kung aabot ako ng Sunday,” Tenorio said. “But I’ll definitely be okay in a week, I just have to recovery my shape, my body kasi bumagsak talaga.
“But overall, okay naman din sa akin na nangyari sa akin to outside of the bubble,” added Tenorio, who hopes to do some treadmill once a negative result of his swab test would permit him to finally roam around Quest Hotel.
Tenorio bared he contemplated with his family about opting out of the bubble due to his condition.
But Tenorio felt the obligation to be in Clark to at least provide morale support to his team, even if chances are that he’ll miss games at the start.
“Gusto ko rin mangyari na kung di man ako makapaglaro, nandun ako para makapagsuporta sa team. Siguro yung appearance ko malaking bagay at malaking tulong sa team,” he said.
ABUENA NEARS ‘MISSION’
Meantime, Phoenix Super LPG’s Calvin Abueva is close to completing the first phase of a process before the Games and Amusements Board reinstates his professional license.
GAB Chairman Baham Mitra said Abueva took part in the second of a three-day seminar on the “Code of Conduct of a Professional Player and Gender Sensitivity Issues” as part of the conditions set by the government body for professional sports.
Once he completes the seminar, Abueva can take a mandatory drug test as part of GAB’s medical requirements.
Abueva is looking to complete all of GAB’s requirements before Phoenix opens its campaign in the PBA restart on Monday after Meralco at the Angeles University Foundation gym.
The PBA approved the inclusion of Abueva in the Fuel Masters’ 15-man roster for the restart, but will only be eligible if all requirements are met.
Until that time comes, Abueva will only be limited to participate in Phoenix’s five-on-five scrimmages, also inside the AUF campus.
