IT appears LA Tenorio is not exactly ready to leave his role as a basketball player. He is Magnolia's new head coach, but the veteran playmaker who retired from Ginebra last season, just could not help himself be ready for the PBA's 50th season -- as a player.
Last Friday, when the team faced the media, guess where Tenorio came from before attending the affair. He was at a 5-on-5 practice with the Hotshots, fueling speculattion that he intends to not just sit on the bench calling the shots, but be on the hardcourt directing play right where the action is.
READ: Zavier Lucero says the Philippines is where his heart is
The 41-year-old is in the Hotshots’ injured/ reserved list, opening up the possibility that he could be elevated to the active roster any moment. Since his move to Magnolia, Tenorio has been participating in Hotshots practice a couple of times in order to keep himself in shape for a potential return.
The team's Friday practice was described as a little bit intense than usual.
“Sa 5-on-5 namin, siya ‘yung pinaka-maraming na-shoot sa amin,” Magnolia guard Mark Barroca disclosed. “Nakakatuwa kasi masaya kami, especially ako, na nagulat ako, 5-on-5 tapos kasama ko siya. Memorable para sa akin.”
“Tina-trash talk namin ‘yung mga bata eh,” Barroca added with a smile. “Sabi ko nga, hindi niyo na maiisahan yan.
Tenorio made it clear that he has not retired from basketball and his September 6 post on Instagram was only to say goodbye to Barangay Ginebra, a team that he played for 13 years.
“I just want to be ready,” said the No. 4 pick in the 2006 draft, on joining the team’s practices. “Baka minsan, sabihin. We’ll never know kasi mahirap eh (playing coach). Joe Devance nga nakabalik. So there’s a chance.”
“Hindi pa naman nag-retire eh. I didn’t mention naman dun na nag-retire ako eh sa statement ko. I just said my piece playing under Ginebra,” said Tenorio.
More than proving that he can still play, however, Tenorio said he also wants to show that he can also execute the offense and defense that he wants to run at Magnolia as a playing coach.
The players appear to be responding.
“Every time I join practice, tingin ko maganda. May nangyayari because mas nakikita nila kung ano ‘yung mga gusto kong ituro sa kanila, at gusto kong pagawa sa kanila. Mas nakikita nila na nagagawa ko in real time.”
“Not only just teaching and telling them what to do. I think malaking bagay na nakikita nila,” said Tenorio.
Barroca and Zavier Lucero agree that Tenorio’s presence on the court have an impact on the team.
“Kita mo kung gaano siya ka-smart maglaro. Ngayon, may edad na siya pero ‘yung experience, makikita mo. Magugulat ka na lang na may itinuturo niya sa amin, biglang meron pa lang ganung option na puwede pala. Nagagaya ng mga bata,” Barroca said.
“He got on the court with us, just seeing him play with us and being invested with us, it’s good for everyone,” said Lucero. “Everyone believes.”
Not promising instant results, the eight-time PBA champion player is looking forward to seeing results come the 50th season from the progress that they’ve built over the last few weeks.
“I like what I saw. We’re progressing. Everyday we’re getting better. The young players, our new players are adopting the system right away,” said Tenorio.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
