LA Tenorio has expressed his disagreement with the PBA opening its new season in early March, which would mean about four months without official games for teams eliminated early in the ongoing Governors’ Cup.
The Magnolia coach said the March 7 opening of Season 51 will mean unbearable inactivity for the teams, players, coaches, and other personnel.
“Masyadong matagal yung March. I don’t think other coaches and other teams will also allow that,” he said shortly after the Hotshots’ exit at the quarterfinals stage after being swept by defending champion TNT.
“Sayang, ang ganda na ng momentum ng 50th season, tapos ganun katagal [ang offseason].”
The PBA hierarchy calendared the March 7 opener since Gilas Pilipinas will be playing in the final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers scheduled from Feb. 26 to March 1 in Cebu City.
FIBA windows have forced the league to go on long breaks this season – the most recent of which resulted in an almost two-month rest since it also coincided with the staging of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
Another month-long rest is in the offing shortly after the quarterfinals as the fifth window will be held in Seremban, Malaysia from Nov. 27 to 29 as the national team plays World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Syria.
But as Tenorio noted, only a few PBA teams have players suiting up for Gilas.
“Hindi naman lahat nasa Gilas,” said Magnolia's rookie coach, who ironically is a part of the Gilas Pilipinas coaching staff.
Even if Magnolia had made it to the semis, Tenorio said, he will likewise suggests that the new season would still kick off by January and not March.
“Hopefully Com Willie (Marcial) will give us a chance sa mga coaches to talk about that also with the management,” he said. “Even if we had won in the quarterfinals, I will say the same thing."
The league’s golden season is projected to finish by Dec. 30 if the best-of-seven finals goes the full route.
Three weeks after or on Jan. 17, the 51st season draft will be held.
Although everything has already been calendared, Tenorio is keeping his fingers crossed that adjustments will be made as far as the season opener is concerned.
“I’d rather play in January than on March 7,” said the 42-year-old former player-turned coach.
“Sana (ma-adjust),” Tenorio said. “It’s not for me, it’s for the players. Kasi siyempre gusto ng mga players maglaro.”
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