IF you have been closely watching the Barangay Ginebra bench even before the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup finals, LA Tenorio has been more involved with the coaching side of things, speaking to head coach Tim Cone more often than in past seasons.
“He is hugely involved,” said Cone, when asked about Tenorio’s active participation on the bench.
This extra role of Tenorio actually began before the start of this conference where he and Cone had a conversation about Tenorio’s future with the ballclub – as a player or as a coach – moving forward.
“He kind of asked even before the conference started,” said Cone. “Do you want me to just go to the bench, or do you want me to stay in uniform and continue to play?”
But Cone said he still wants the 40-year-old Tenorio to be in uniform in games but with an additional role.
“I told him I felt he’ll be much more effective as a player coaching the team than he would be as just another assistant coach sitting on the bench. But he is definitely coaching,” said Cone.
Tenorio’s added role is something that he has embraced, his inputs of much importance to Cone and the team, being together since their Alaska days early in his playing career.
He is also ready to play as shown in Game 5 where he played six minutes and delivered quality during his stretch where it gave an opportunity for Scottie Thompson to rest for the fourth quarter.
READ: LA Tenorio makes every second count in surprise Game 5 action
“I rely on him a lot. I walk down to him a lot. I talk to him a lot. We exchange ideas. He’s been with me for so long, he knows the way I think,” Cone said of Tenorio.
Cone also added Tenorio’s new role with Barangay Ginebra will eventually benefit his other role as Gilas Pilipinas Youth national coach.
“It’s great. It’s awesome. And I think he’s just preparing himself for the national team,” said Cone.
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.
