LA TENORIO has mixed feelings about facing his former team when Magnolia battles Barangay Ginebra in a ‘Manila Clasico’ for the coming PBA season.
Tenorio will be coaching against Ginebra for the first time during this 50th season after playing with the ballclub for 13 years. Ironically, the surprising career move put him on the opposite end of the PBA's fabled rivalry.
“Yes na hindi,” said Tenorio, when asked if he looks forward to the ‘Manila Clasico’ which will put him against longtime mentor Tim Cone for the coming season.
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With the season-opening Philippine Cup still several weeks away, the date of the Ginebra-Magnolia match-up has not been determined. But this early, as much as possible, Tenorio said he wants to treat the game against Ginebra like any ordinary game that the Hotshots must win.
“Hindi ko alam ang magiging feeling. But in the end, it’s just ordinary. It’s just a game. It’s just a game that I have to coach the team,” said Tenorio.
But whether he admits it or not, the rivalry game will be nostalgic for Tenorio.
His penultimate game as a Gin King was a memorable one as he buried the game-winning three-pointer against San Miguel, 88-87, that sent their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal into a Game 7 last July 6. Tenorio finished with 11 points in nine minutes.
His final game, however, ended with a loss as the Gin Kings were ousted by the Beermen, 100-93, last July 9, where Tenorio was held scoreless in two minutes of action.
Over the last few conferences, Tenorio has also become active on the bench, serving as a playing assistant coach under Cone at Ginebra and head coach of Gilas Pilipinas Youth before his appointment with the Gin Kings’ sister ballclub.
Tenorio said the ‘Manila Clasico’ will also be an opportunity for the Hotshots to learn lessons that can make them better for the more important games during the playoffs where they are looking to go deeper this time after several disappointments.
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“Gusto ko, habang Manila Clasico, I want them to feel na, yes we want to win. But we want to learn and get better after that game, whether we win or lose.”
“We have to get something out of the games that we play. ‘yun ang plano ko sa team. Of course, we have a goal. Gusto namin to get over the hump. Medyo matagal-tagal na. That’s the goal. But again, this is not a sprint. This is a marathon. Unti-unti lang. One step at a time,” said Tenorio.
Tenorio said being a former Ginebra player doesn’t mean that he has an advantage as far as being familiar with Cone and the players is concerned.
“’Yun ‘yung plano na dahil may advantage na alam ko ang ginagawa nila. But I’m sure mag-iiba ‘yan dahil alam nila na alam ko ang ginagawa nila. But we will see what will happen. I’m just excited with this position, excited to work and be an inspiration sa mga players,” Tenorio added.
To no one’s surprise, Tenorio said his biggest influence is Cone, although his system isn’t necessary the same as Ginebra due to the difference in personnel.
“Marami akong naging coaches. But of course, ‘yung mga successful stint ko sa career ko under kay Coach Tim. Hindi natin maiiwasan na madala natin, not really ‘yung sistema but the attitude towards the game, ‘yung gustong gawin sa team.
"Kasi iba naman ‘yung composition ng team ko sa composition ng team namin with coach Tim. I just have to do the system or the culture na gusto kong ibigay sa team based sa tao na meron ako,” said Tenorio.
“Definitely, probably I must say 70 or 60 percent, that’s the system and how we approach the game,” Tenorio added.
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