Gilas withdrawal not an easy decision says Tenorio

MANILA, Philippines -- Barangay Ginebra veteran guard LA Tenorio appealed to basketball fans for understanding in his decision not to play for Gilas Pilipinas in order to recover from fatigue and be able to prepare for the PBA next season.

“Wala na eh. Too late na rin saka parang unfair sa mga nagpakahirap (sa practice) for the past two weeks.  Siguro baka next year na lang ulit (if given the chance),” Tenorio told sports scribes after the Rise Legacy Night at the Nike House of Rise on Mandaluyong City on Saturday night.

The 31-year-old Ginebra playmaker said he’s not totally turning his back on the national team. But given the non-stop basketball he has had the last three years, he felt that fatigue has already caught up on him this year.

“I’m not turning my back naman sa Gilas. It’s just that this year, kami nina Ping (Star forward Marc Pingris), siguro konting understanding lang on our side kasi di naman ganun kadali yung desisyon namin to beg off this year sa Gilas,” explained the former Ateneo superstar.

And though Gilas lost considerable talent this year due to the absence of two-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, shooters Jeff Chan and Paul Lee, Tenorio remains confident that the rejigged national squad can compete solidly with naturalized player Andray Blatche still around and the possible inclusion of Jimmy Alapag, who recently came off retirement.

“I think kung Fiba-Asia and kung si Jimmy maglalaro, he can handle the team well kasi malaking bagay si Andray Blatche to play sa Fiba-Asia. Malaking lift yun sa atin,” said the one-time Finals MVP.

He also mentioned that the presence of Jason Castro, voted one of the two best guards in the 2013 Fiba-Asia men’s championships, along with the addition of Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva can still make Gilas a team to reckon with in the Asian cage joust.

The champion in the Fiba-Asia tilt, scheduled on Sept. 23 in Changsa, Hunan, China, will earn an automatic slot in next year’s Rio Olympics in Brazil.