IT'S quite the special opener for the PBA's 50th season. It's Manila Clasico right away.
And it's LA Tenorio's league debut as head coach.
READ: Tenorio coaching debut for Magnolia is rivalry game with Ginebra
But the first-year shot-caller wouldn't want the pressure to get the better of him, more so of his Magnolia Hotshots.
Tenorio is going into the lone opening game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as if it were 'just an ordinary game.'
"Hindi ko iniisip. I just want my players to realize that it's going to be an ordinary game. Yes, it's going to be a big game. But in the end, it's just an ordinary game that we need to play and win," said Tenorio to SPIN.ph heading into his showdown against his former team.
In last season's Philippine Cup, Ginebra edged the Hotshots, 85-81, in what proved to be Tenorio's last Clasico as a Gin King.
Now, he's looking to turn the tide on his former team.
The rookie head coach is certain, though, his longtime mentor Tim Cone wouldn't want him to get his first-ever win as PBA coach at his expense.
"I'm looking forward (to it). I'm sure si coach Tim din. I'm sure hindi magpapatalo yun. Yun pa, kilala ko na yun," he said.
Hotshots turn down the heat
Whatever the outcome, he just wants Magnolia to relax and enjoy the game.
"We just need to play, gawin lang yung mga dapat naming gawin," said Tenorio, designated as the Hotshots' playing-coach.
"We win or lose in the first game, there's nothing wrong with that. We'll see."
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