LA TENORIO will be making his PBA head coaching debut against his former team in a slam-bang opening game.
The 50th Season of the country’s top professional league starts with a marquee match-up of rivals Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra battling it out on Sunday, October 5 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The main storyline of the ‘Manila Clasico’ match features Tenorio out to start his PBA coaching career on a high note against the team that he played from 2012 to 2025, winning seven of his eight career championships in that span.
Tenorio will also lock horns on the sidelines against 25-time champion coach Tim Cone, his major influence during his professional playing career being his mentor dating back to their days with Alaska from 2008 to 2012.
The PBA announced the schedule of the season-opening Philippine Cup during Wednesday’s press conference at the Shangri-La The Fort at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
Manila Clasico then Leo Awards
Aside from the ‘Manila Clasico’ opener, the PBA will also hand out the individual awards during the Leo Awards where June Mar Fajardo is in the hunt to bag his ninth MVP in the league.
The PBA will also stage an opening ceremony that is expected to be unlike no other with the league celebrating its golden season.
“Kahit ano naman na teams, puwedeng ilagay sa opening ng 50th. Naisip lang namin ‘yun kasi lagyan natin ng konting drama. Tim Cone versus LA Tenorio. Doon lang kami nanggagaling. Pero kahit sinong ilagay mo, siguradong papasukin ‘yun kasi 50th season natin,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.
The ‘Manila Clasico’ caps off the opening weekend celebration to the golden season of the league.
A Fans Day will be held on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum green gate where all 12 teams will be present.
The delegation will then move to the Meralco Theater for a 7 p.m. fellowship night that includes the PBA’s legends, former staff, and other personalities who were at some point involved in the league.
The Leo Awards will be held the following day on Sunday, 3:30 p.m. at the Novotel before the 5:30 p.m. opening rites.
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