LA TENORIO said he will continue to play for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA this season even after his appointment as Gilas Pilipinas Youth coach.
Speaking on Thursday after Gilas Pilipinas Men defeated New Zealand in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers, the 40-year-old Tenorio said he has no plans to retire yet as the heavy workload that comes with his new coaching role won't come until next year.
“Next year pa. Matagal pa eh, August pa,” said Tenorio, now on his 18th year of playing in the PBA, 12 of which were with Barangay Ginebra. “I’ll play pa. Maglalaro pa ako sa PBA kasi once a year lang naman ‘yung liga.”
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When asked if he is already tinkering with retirement following the coaching job, Tenorio said no.
“We will see. I’ll see. I haven’t thought about it. But we will see,” said Tenorio, who is also an assistant coach in the Gilas Pilipinas men's team, and was on the bench during the game against New Zealand.
The Barangay Ginebra veteran admitted he thought long and hard after he was offered the job by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
“A bit surprised but they offered me talaga dati pa, but I thought about it sobra. Finally, I said yes last week,” said Tenorio.
“At the same time, a lot of pressure because big shoes to fill doon sa ginawa ni coach Josh. Alam naman natin kung ano ‘yung ginawa niya sa developmental at sa youth team. Nakapag-dalawa or tatlong World Cup siya. It’s really a big shoes to fill,” said Tenorio.
Tenorio said his initial work will come in the development side as the international tournaments will not come until next year.
“I’m looking forward to be a head coach and excited kung ano ang mangyayari. The bottom line for me is I’m not thinking about winning right away, for getting into the position that we want to. I think the bottom line is really to develop a lot of younger players and future Gilas Pilipinas Men players,” said Tenorio.
Tenorio will also put emphasis on incorporating the system of Gilas coach Tim Cone in the youth squad.
“Most likely, the system that I’m going to run is the same system that we run in the men’s team to have that transition,” said Tenorio.
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