LA endures twice the pain in final game

LA Tenorio’s last game in the UAAP obviously didn’t turn out the way he wanted.

For one, Ateneo bowed to La Salle for the third straight time this year, and in the process bid its title hopes goodbye Sunday.

And second, Tenorio spent the last five minutes of his flashy UAAP career sitting on the bench, suffering from cramps.

"Frustrating of course," said the Ateneo quarterback on his way out of the Big Dome. He was in playing shorts, loose shirt and slippers, his Ateneo varsity bag on one hand and a big white towel on the other.

Reminded that it was his last game in the UAAP, Tenorio could only smile and say: "Wala na. Tapos na (It’s over)."

Tenorio scored 20 points in the game, had six rebounds, three steals and four assists with only one turnover in 29 minutes on the floor.

A play after burying a triple for his last UAAP basket, Tenorio fell to the floor near the Ateneo bench. He was having cramps on his right leg and was pulled out for good with 5:27 left in the game.

"I’m disappointed," said Tenorio who’s now looking forward to playing in the pro league after spending five years with Ateneo and winning one championship in 2002.

"Hopefully, PBA na next year. Hopefully maganda ang kapalit," he said.

What did La Salle have that Ateneo didn’t?

"I don’t know. I guess it’s a question of who gets intimidated first. But it’s so frustrating, I got cramps in the last five minutes and I wasn’t able to finish the game, I guess I gave it all in the first half," he said.

Before leaving the dugout, Tenorio gave words of encouragement to those being left behind. Also on their way out of the Ateneo team are Badjie del Rosario and Magnum Membrere.

"I just told them to improve on their game. I just wished them good luck for next year and told them to remember these losses and how we lost to La Salle thrice this year.

"I’m sure they will bounce back next year," he said. Then he left the Big Dome – never again to play in the UAAP.