Nobody could ever see LA Tenorio quitting Barangay Ginebra and donning a PBA uniform again, especially at this stage of his career.

Although the Kings’ decision to place Tenorio in the Unrestricted Free Agent With Rights To Salary (UFAWR2S) protected him from being snatched away by other teams, there is still a one percent chance that he will sign with a team outside of Ginebra.

How can that be?

Star players who are demoted by clubs, such as UFAWR2S, typically have agreements with their mother club that prohibit them from joining other teams if they find out they are available.

This was the case with experienced Fil-Am big man Joe Devance, who had previously been placed in a similar predicament twice by Ginebra management.

Naturally, there was a single instance in the past where a team managed to sign an unrestricted free agent who was not with his mother team.

Ironically, Barangay Ginebra was engaged.

After being placed by Meralco in the UFAWR2S in 2019, Jarred Dillinger made the decision to sign with Barangay Ginebra.

The management of Meralco stated that it had previously made an agreement with Dillinger to refrain from accepting offers from other clubs, which is why it chose to place him on the unrestricted free agency list.

Dillinger’s transfer to the Kings, where he went on to win four more titles, was made possible by the Bolts’ maintenance of him breaking that gentleman’s agreement.

The alternative strategy was for teams to follow an unspoken rule not to touch elite players who had been demoted to UFAWR2S.

There should be consideration for the mother team if a team shows genuine interest in a player.

Naturally, Ginebra would not part with Tenorio, who is forty years old.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone clarified that management’s decision to add the former Ateneo guard to the unrestricted free agency list was mostly motivated by Tenorio’s coaching position with the Batang Gilas for the SEABA qualifications for the FIBA U16 Asia Cup.

As a result, the Kings were able to add backup guard Jayson David to their squad for the current Philippine Cup.

Cone, however, stated that Tenorio will return to the active roster after the tournament, which is scheduled for May 24-31 in Pampanga, is over.

However, Tenorio’s close relationship with Cone and Barangay Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua means that the Kings will never fire the longtime captain of the Ginebra team.

Of course, the other two sister teams of the San Miguel Corporation block will not receive Tenorio.