Tenorio, Ross, Manuel relish first SEA Games gold medal

They may have already accomplished several achievements as professional players, but for Gilas Pilipinas members LA Tenorio, Chris Ross, and Vic Manuel, bagging the Southeast Asian Games gold medal is something special.

The three players were just some of the first-time SEA Games gold medalists who played in front of more than 12,000 crowd during the gold medal match against Thailand on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"Siyempre masaya ako kasi naka-receive ako ng first gold medal sa SEA Games. First time ko rin magaro sa SEA Games so very thankful and grateful to be part of this SEA Games," Tenorio told members of the press.

FULL COVERAGE: 30th Southeast Asian Games on GMA News Online

Tenorio was a member of the Gilas team that played in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, but this is his first time to win the SEA Games gold.

"This team is special, aside from our team sa World Cup. Itong team na ito, full of superstars na nagsama-sama. Si-net aside namin 'yung ego ng isa't isa. Di kami nagsapawan, which is 'yung goal namin. We don't have to be an all-star team. Aside from getting the gold medal, 'yun [ang] pagiging special ng team sa SEA Games," Tenorio added.

"This team will be remembered for sure kahit sabihin na automatic naman 'yan [na gold]. It's about being special as a group and being part of this group," said Tenorio.

For Vic Manuel, playing for the flag was one of his dreams, and he capped his SEA Games stint with a gold medal.

"Sobrang saya kasi pinangarap ko rin 'yan dati na makapaglaro, kahit one time opportunity na makapaglaro. Sabi ko nga kay Coach Tim [Cone] talaga ako magpasalamat kasi na-appreciate niya ako," he said,

Chris Ross, who has eight rings in his hands due to numerous championships with the San Miguel Beermen, said this SEA Games medal is special to him.

"This is special since it's my first time putting the jersey on, playing in front of the crowd and playing with these amazing group of guys, it's just really special," Ross said.

Will they still play for the flag in the future?

"Di natin alam magiging future natin. Kung kailangan ba serbisyo natin, why not? Hangga't kaya ko pa maglaro ng basketball. Iba pa rin ang nag-re-represent ng bansa," Tenorio said.

For Manuel, only time will tell if he can still represent the country. "Di ko masabi kasi di na ako bumabata eh. Tumatanda na ako," he said.

For now, they will just relish the gold before going back to their mother clubs.

"In twenty, thirty years, I'll look back on it and feel different about it but right now, I just try to relish it and live in the moment," Ross said. —MGP, GMA News