LA TENORIO wrapped up his first task as Gilas Pilipinas Youth coach on Thursday night with the conclusion of the Under-16 national team’s tryouts at the Christ's Commission Fellowship (CCF) gym in Pasig City.
A total of 33 players took part in the final day of the tryouts to determine the national team roster for this year’s competitions that will begin with the SEABA Under-16 Championship.
Previously, more than a hundred players attended the first series of tryouts last month, with the pool pruned down when it resumed on Tuesday.
READ: LA Tenorio not retiring after accepting Gilas Youth coaching job
Tenorio, together with his staff that includes fellow active PBA player Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine, is now in the process of selecting the players which he admitted will be a tough task.
“We started nung February 3 and 4. We started with 100 players. Invited ‘yung 100 players. And then we cut it down to 35 to 40 players. May mga hindi na nakapunta nung two days. Ito na ‘yung last day so we will cut it down. We will cut it down to 15 pero mukhang mahihirapan, said Tenorio.
“Masyado tayong maraming talent na mga bata. We were surprised also kung ano ‘yung naging turnout ng tryouts,” the concurrent Barangay Ginebra veteran said.
The 40-year-old Tenorio was appointed as Gilas Pilipinas Youth head coach last November, replacing Josh Reyes. Aside from Norwood, also in his staff are Richard Del Rosario and Patrick Partosa, who are part of Tim Cone’s staff at Gilas Pilipinas Men and Barangay Ginebra.
“Mahirap pala,” said Tenorio, when asked months into his role.
“It’s because of the talent na meron tayo especially ‘yung young age na 16-under. Nakakagulat. Actually, marami pang hindi nakapunta na hindi pa naimbita. Mahirap at the same time, very excited kasi mga bata ito, alam ko na gusto nilang matuto. Alam ko na mas gusto nila na maging part of the national team," he added.
"Nakita mo naman, in your own eyes, kung paano sila magpagbakbakan dito sa dalawang oras na ginawa namin.”
The first competition of Gilas Pilipinas Youth under Tenorio will be in May with the SEABA Under-16 Championship, which will be a qualifiers for the FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup to be played in August in Mongolia.
The Asia Cup will also serve as a qualifier for the FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup next year.
Tenorio said the coaching staff will do its best to form the most competitive team possible.
“Lahat talaga deserving. The fact na we invited them, lahat sila deserving. But again, we have to make our decision lung ilan man na makuha namin,” said Tenorio.
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