BARANGAY Ginebra will always have a soft spot in LA Tenorio’s heart especially those who took care of him during his more than a decade stay with the franchise.
Although now with Magnolia, the rookie coach lost no time in offering the Hotshots’ latest victory in the PBA 50th Season Governors Cup to the late Ginebra utility Ian Calilan.
Calilan, 51, died on Wednesday due to a lingering illness.
READ Ginebra’s long-serving utility Ian Calilan passes away at age 51
Tenorio looked back with fondness and gratitude on how thelong-serving team staff, son of former PBA player Cris Calilan and grandson of Olympian Francisco ‘Kiko’ Calilan, took great care of him during his stay with the organization.
“Isa sa mga nag-alaga sa akin yun when I was at Ginebra. Even my family and parents,” shared the Magnolia coach when he took the podium following the Hotshots’ 105-88 win over the Meralco Bolts over the weekend.
Tenorio went to the wake of Calilan at Funeraria Filipinas on the eve of the Magnolia-Meralco game.
“Nagkita kam ni Scottie [Thompson] doon. Yung mga coaches nung tanghali pumunta after ng practice,” he said.
During the wake, Tenorio said he whispered to Calilan to help the Hotshots win the all-important game.
“Hiningi ko sa kanya ito,” he said. “Sabi ko, hindi lang sana sa Ginebra. Sana kami rin.”
His wish was eventually granted as the Hotshots went on a tear in the fourth quarter, scoring 34 points behind sophomore Jerom Lastimosa to take the win in a rain-delayed game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Shortly after, Tenorio said the win was a way to honor the memory of the fallen Ginebra utility.
“I just want to dedicate this win to my guy at Ginebra, who passed away, si Christianne Calilan,” said the 42-year-old coach. “I personally dedicated this win for him.”
Tenorio and Calilan saw each other on Sunday when Magnolia defeated Barangay Ginebra, 88-73, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the first Manila Clasico meeting this conference.
It was the last time their paths would cross.
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