MANILA, Philippines - The Alaska Aces secured their lineup for the next three years by signing up point guard LA Tenorio and center Sonny Thoss to identical three-year pacts worth P12.6 million at the maximum allowable salary in the Philippine Basketball Association of P350,000 a month.
Tenorio signed the contract at the Alaska Milk Corporation head office in Makati last Monday. It came on the heels of the renewal of Alaska center Thoss and swingman Brandon Cablay last week.
Tenorio averaged 11 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 36 minutes per game as the starting point guard of the Aces.
Alaska general manager Joaqui Trillo expressed satisfaction in signing Tenorio to the three-year pact.
“He is a fighter even though he is small,” said Trillo. “He deserves the maximum contract. He is our only point guard in the team and he is a leader even though he is very young.”
Tenorio was himself excited at the prospect of playing another three seasons for the Aces. He thanked Trillo and the Alaska management for the confidence in him.
“I feel the pressure of their expectations but for me it is more of a challenge. I am grateful that they trust me and look at me that way. I have to live up to their expectation,” said Tenorio.
Thoss was signed to the same terms as Tenorio – three years for the maximum allowable amount in the PBA of P350,000.
Cablay, who is coming back from what many thought was a career-ending injury, was signed for a year at P150,000 a month or a total of P1.8 million.
Thoss welcomed the chance to continue playing for the Aces which drafted him as the team’s first overall pick in 2004.
“I’m very happy to renew my contract with Alaska,” said Thoss through his agent Charlie Dy. “Alaska management and the coaches have been very supportive. I love this team because we’re like one big happy family here.”
Dy said center JayR Reyes of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters has likewise signed a three-year pact also worth P12.6 million.
Reyes contract will be effective Aug. 16, 2009 to Aug. 15, 2012.
Trillo said Alaska offered Cablay a two-year pact. Cablay however asked for the one-year contract instead perhaps hoping for a chance to prove himself in his first year and get a better deal afterwards.
Cablay said he needed a few months to get back into game shape and be able to shoe what he could do.
“I need to get stronger to approximate my playing in previous years in the PBA,” said Cablay. “I do not necessarily have to get back to the gym. I need to work on specific drills. I am happy to be back with Alaska. I will have Alaska trainers Gus Vargas and Mike Braga helping get me back into basketball shape.”