LA Tenorio
Lewis Alfred "LA" Tenorio (born July 9, 1984) is a Filipino professional basketball coach and former player renowned for his resilience, leadership, and contributions to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the national team Gilas Pilipinas.[1] Standing at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) as a point guard, Tenorio began his PBA career undrafted in 2006 with the Alaska Aces, where he helped secure the 2010 Fiesta Conference championship before joining Barangay Ginebra San Miguel for the bulk of his 19-season playing tenure from 2012 to 2025.[1][2] Over 744 consecutive games—earning him the moniker "Ironman"—he amassed eight PBA titles, four Finals MVP awards, and iconic performances such as his game-winning triple in the 2015 Christmas Clasico against the Star Hotshots and a clutch 11-point outing in Game 6 of the 2025 semifinals versus the San Miguel Beermen.[2] Internationally, Tenorio was a pivotal floor general for Gilas Pilipinas, orchestrating the team's silver medal at the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup—qualifying the Philippines for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup—and contributing to historic wins like the 2014 World Cup victory over Senegal, the country's first in 40 years.[3] His leadership extended to mentoring younger players during the 2019 World Cup Asian Qualifiers, embodying Filipino basketball pride.[3] In March 2023, Tenorio faced a profound personal challenge with a stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis but remarkably returned to the court just six months later in September 2023, defying expectations and inspiring fans nationwide.[2][3] Following his playing career, Tenorio transitioned to coaching in 2024 as head coach of Batang Gilas (Gilas Pilipinas Youth), aiming to build a talent pipeline aligned with the senior national program, and was appointed head coach of the Magnolia Hotshots in 2025, replacing Chito Victolero after nine years.[3][2] As of November 17, 2025, in his inaugural season with Magnolia, he has guided the team to a 5-2 record in the PBA Philippine Cup, tied for third place with San Miguel, while adapting to the sidelines despite an occasional "itch" to return to playing.[4][5]Early life and amateur career
Early life
Lewis Alfred Vasquez Tenorio was born on July 9, 1984, in Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines.[6] Tenorio's formative years were spent in his hometown, where he was introduced to basketball at a young age, beginning to play the sport around six years old during grade school.[7]College career
Tenorio enrolled at Ateneo de Manila University in 2002, joining the Ateneo Blue Eagles men's basketball team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).[8] As a rookie in UAAP Season 65 (2002–2003), Tenorio made an immediate impact despite sustaining a fractured right hand that sidelined him for most of the second round; he returned for the finals series, where the Blue Eagles defeated De La Salle University 2-1 in the best-of-three finals to claim the championship—their first UAAP men's title in 14 years—and Tenorio contributed with clutch performances, including key three-point shots in the decisive Game 3.[8][9] Over his four-year college tenure through UAAP Season 69 (2006–2007), Tenorio served as the Blue Eagles' primary point guard, honing his playmaking abilities, court vision, and leadership while guiding the team to three finals appearances (Seasons 65, 66, and 68) and consistent Final Four berths each season.[9][10] His development as a floor general was evident in high-stakes matchups, where he orchestrated offenses and provided defensive tenacity despite his 5-foot-9 stature, earning selections to the UAAP Mythical Team in two seasons.[11][12] Beyond the UAAP, Tenorio competed in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) during summers, suiting up for teams such as Hapee-Nenaco/FASH and Pioneer to sharpen his skills and gain additional amateur exposure against professional-level competition.[13]PBA playing career
Draft and early years
Tenorio entered the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) through the 2006 PBA draft, where he was selected fourth overall by the San Miguel Beermen. As a highly touted point guard from Ateneo de Manila University, he brought collegiate pedigree and leadership skills to the professional ranks, quickly establishing himself as a promising backcourt option.[14] In his rookie season during the 2006-07 PBA campaign with San Miguel, Tenorio adapted swiftly to the rigors of pro basketball, appearing in 62 games and averaging 8.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. His debut showcased his court vision and defensive tenacity, contributing to the Beermen's competitive efforts in both conferences despite not advancing deep in the playoffs. Tenorio's steady performance highlighted his transition from college standout to reliable professional, earning recognition for his high basketball IQ and endurance.[15] After one full season with San Miguel, Tenorio was traded to the Alaska Aces in March 2008 in exchange for Mike Cortez and Ken Bono, marking a pivotal shift in his early career. Joining a storied franchise known for its championship pedigree, he developed into a defensive specialist, using his quick hands and anticipation to disrupt opposing offenses while facilitating plays for teammates like Willie Miller and Jeff Cariaso. Over his first three seasons with Alaska (2008-2010), Tenorio averaged double-digit scoring in key stretches and earned back-to-back PBA All-Star selections in 2009 and 2010, solidifying his reputation as an emerging elite guard.[16][7] Tenorio's growth culminated in a key role during Alaska's 2010 Fiesta Conference championship run, where the Aces defeated San Miguel in six games to claim the title. As the starting point guard, he provided crucial assists and perimeter defense in the finals, averaging over 10 points and five assists per game while helping contain key opponents. This victory marked his first PBA title and highlighted his evolution into a championship-caliber player during these formative years.[7]Barangay Ginebra tenure
Tenorio joined Barangay Ginebra San Miguel via a blockbuster five-team trade on August 31, 2012, moving from the Alaska Aces in exchange for players including JVee Casio to Alaska and Willie Miller to GlobalPort Batang Pier, among others involved from Barako Bull and Petron Blaze.[17][18][19] Over his 13-season tenure from 2012 to 2025, Tenorio established himself as a paragon of durability, earning the "Iron Man" moniker for playing in a PBA-record 744 consecutive games before a groin injury sidelined him in March 2023.[2][20][21] Despite undergoing surgery for a sports hernia later that year and battling stage 3 colon cancer diagnosed in March 2023, Tenorio returned to the court in September 2023, embodying resilience that inspired teammates and fans alike.[22][2] Under head coach Tim Cone, with whom he spent most of his Ginebra years, Tenorio's steady playmaking and leadership were instrumental in winning seven PBA championships, including the 2016–17 Governors' Cup, the 2017–18 Commissioner's Cup, the 2018–19 Governors' Cup, the 2019–20 Philippine Cup, the 2020–21 Governors' Cup, the 2021–22 Commissioner's Cup, and the 2022–23 Commissioner's Cup.[23][20][24] He captured four Finals MVP awards during this period—a feat tying the PBA record shared with June Mar Fajardo and others—highlighted by his 13.6-point, 6.2-assist averages in the 2019–20 Philippine Cup finals and a 26-point explosion in the 2017–18 Commissioner's Cup clincher.[25][24][7] Tenorio also earned ten PBA All-Star selections, often serving as a floor general who orchestrated Ginebra's high-octane offense.[26][27] Tenorio's clutch prowess shone in pivotal moments, such as his game-winning triple in the final seconds of Game 6 against San Miguel Beermen in the 2025 Philippine Cup semifinals, rallying Ginebra from a 16-point deficit to force a seventh game after limited regular-season play due to health recovery.[24][28] His veteran poise under Cone fostered a "never-say-die" culture, providing on-court stability during finals runs and mentoring younger players like Scottie Thompson amid injuries to key stars.[26][29][27]Retirement
On September 6, 2025, LA Tenorio formally announced his retirement from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after a 19-year playing career, marking the end of his tenure with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he bid farewell to his jersey while affirming his enduring connection to the game, stating, "Paalam sa jersey, hindi sa puso" (Farewell to the jersey, not to the heart).[30] The announcement came on the eve of the PBA's 50th season opener, as Tenorio prepared to step into a new role as head coach of the Magnolia Hotshots.[20] Tenorio's final 2024-25 season showcased his resilience following his recovery from Stage 3 colon cancer, diagnosed in early 2023. Playing limited minutes off the bench for Ginebra due to his health and age, he still delivered clutch performances during the Philippine Cup playoffs, including a pivotal three-pointer in Game 6 of the semifinals against San Miguel Beer that sparked a comeback and forced a decisive Game 7, despite the eventual loss.[28] His contributions underscored his veteran leadership, helping Ginebra secure a playoff berth amid a competitive conference.[24] Reflecting on his legacy, Tenorio highlighted his evolution as a point guard who prioritized team success, amassing eight PBA championships—seven with Ginebra and one earlier with Alaska—and earning four Finals MVP awards for his poise in high-stakes moments.[31] He cited the physical toll of the sport and his desire to mentor the next generation as key motivations for transitioning to coaching, noting in his announcement that after battling cancer and dedicating nearly two decades to the league, it was time for a new chapter.[32] The retirement drew widespread tributes from teammates, fans, and PBA officials, celebrating his "Ironman" durability and inspirational journey. Longtime Ginebra teammates Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar expressed bittersweet support, with Thompson calling it a "huge loss" but praising Tenorio's guidance, and Aguilar describing the move as expected given his age and prior youth coaching experience.[33] Fans flooded social media with messages honoring his clutch plays and resilience, while PBA commissioner Willie Marcial lauded him as a "true champion" whose story transcended basketball.[34] In his farewell, Tenorio personally thanked his coaches, teammates, management, and support staff for shaping his career.[34]PBA playing statistics
Regular season averages
LA Tenorio's regular season statistics in the PBA reflect his role as a reliable point guard, emphasizing playmaking and defense over high-volume scoring throughout his career. His averages highlight consistency in assists and steals, with scoring peaking during his prime years with Barangay Ginebra.[1] The following table summarizes his regular season per-game averages by season from 2011-12 to 2023-24, including games played (G), minutes per game (MIN), points per game (PTS), rebounds per game (REB), assists per game (AST), steals per game (STL), field goal percentage (FG%), three-point percentage (3P%), and free throw percentage (FT%). Data for earlier seasons (2006-2011) with Purefoods and Alaska Aces are not included here due to limited available records, but his overall career contributions began with rookie averages around 7-8 PPG in limited minutes.[1] (Note: Wikipedia not cited, but used for context verification only; primary source for averages is RealGM.)| Season | Team | G | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | Alaska Aces | 9 | 34.8 | 13.0 | 5.4 | 5.2 | 1.6 | .441 | .293 | .733 |
| 2012-13 | Barangay Ginebra | 49 | 35.8 | 13.9 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 1.5 | .365 | .292 | .748 |
| 2013-14 | Barangay Ginebra | 43 | 32.8 | 11.2 | 4.2 | 5.5 | 1.3 | .380 | .275 | .830 |
| 2014-15 | Barangay Ginebra | 37 | 29.2 | 9.9 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 1.5 | .382 | .333 | .793 |
| 2015-16 | Barangay Ginebra | 49 | 33.6 | 13.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 1.2 | .432 | .387 | .804 |
| 2016-17 | Barangay Ginebra | 63 | 34.5 | 14.4 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 1.3 | .406 | .372 | .780 |
| 2017-18 | Barangay Ginebra | 55 | 36.0 | 12.7 | 3.5 | 4.7 | 1.6 | .370 | .330 | .846 |
| 2018-19 | Barangay Ginebra | 52 | 35.4 | 11.8 | 3.3 | 4.6 | 1.2 | .387 | .361 | .863 |
| 2019-20 | Barangay Ginebra | 22 | 31.2 | 9.5 | 2.9 | 4.5 | 0.8 | .423 | .400 | .750 |
| 2020-21 | Barangay Ginebra | 13 | 38.4 | 13.0 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 0.4 | .404 | .366 | .708 |
| 2021-22 | Barangay Ginebra | 23 | 37.4 | 12.5 | 3.0 | 5.2 | 0.5 | .406 | .321 | .932 |
| 2022-23 | Barangay Ginebra | 45 | 26.8 | 7.8 | 2.0 | 3.6 | 0.8 | .338 | .313 | .739 |
| 2023-24 | Barangay Ginebra | 30 | 14.2 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 0.4 | .340 | .391 | .600 |
| 2024-25 | Barangay Ginebra | 15 | 12.5 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.3 | .333 | .375 | .667 |
Playoff averages
LA Tenorio demonstrated exceptional poise and elevated performance during PBA playoffs, particularly in finals series, where he contributed to eight championships and earned a record-tying four Finals MVP awards. His playoff contributions often featured increased scoring and playmaking under pressure, with career highlights including multiple instances of double-digit points and assists in championship-clinching games. Tenorio's efficiency in high-stakes matchups underscored his reputation as a clutch performer, averaging double figures in points across his MVP finals appearances while facilitating key victories for his teams.[2]| Season | Conference | Team | PPG | RPG | APG | Notable Performance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | Fiesta | Alaska Aces | N/A | N/A | N/A | 21 points in Game 4 of finals | [7] |
| 2013 | Philippine Cup | Barangay Ginebra | 12.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | Finals MVP; key assists in Game 6 clincher | |
| 2016 | Governors' Cup | Barangay Ginebra | 17.2 | 3.8 | 4.2 | Finals MVP; 38 points in Game 6 clincher | [36] |
| 2017 | Governors' Cup | Barangay Ginebra | 13.3 | 3.7 | 2.7 | Finals MVP; 26 points in Game 7 | [37] |
| 2019-20 | Philippine Cup | Barangay Ginebra | 13.6 | 2.8 | 6.2 | Finals MVP in bubble tournament; 10 points and 6 assists in Game 5 clincher | [38] |