LA Tenorio, a guy who is known to have overcome tremendous adversities, may be the right man to provide inspiration to an underachieving Magnolia team that is out to end a seven-year title drought.
A first-time head coach in the big league, the PBA’s record holder for consecutive games played is hoping to infect that source of inspiration, especially the things he experienced in his life, and that could probably propel Magnolia, a consistent playoff performer, but could barely hit a championship the past six years, to the next level.
The Hotshots last won a championship in the 2018 Governors’ Cup under then coach Chito Victolero, who also led the team to the finals three more times and a few more semifinals appearances, but couldn’t replicate what he had accomplished for the squad seven years ago.
Tenorio, an accomplished player, who had just embarked a head coaching career as mentor of the Gilas Pilipinas youth squad, may bring that new energy that could level up the Hotshots’ performance.
For Tenorio, basketball isn’t just a therapy but has also been a life-saver.
“Basketball saved my life,” Tenorio told Pinoystep.com while sharing that he would continue to use the game as some sort of his therapy to his full recovery.
A few years ago, Tenorio was forced to stop playing after 744 consecutive games played, first due to a groin injury, then later on made an announcement of stepping out of the game because of a bout with Stage 3 colon cancer.
Although he was already declared cancer-free, Tenorio would use basketball as a way to complete his treatment.
“I think God really has a higher purpose kung bakit niya ako inilagay dito,” added Tenorio. “Yun yung magiging therapy ko pa rin. Sasabay ako sa practice or simply just coaching players at this level, yung makita ko na sumusunod sila. The good thing is nakikita ko na nagiging successful sila, napakalaking bagay na yun para sa akin — being here, being an inspiration to these players because alam nila yung pinagdaanan ko and I do hope na yung mga sinasabi ko sa kanila maisa-puso at maisa-isip nila para naman makatulong ako sa kanila para maghing successful not only in basketball, but in life.”
Perhaps, that life-challenging experience is somewhat Magnolia needs to embrace in coming up with a more inspiring showing this coning PBA 50th season.
“That’s the plan and I want to take this trip. One stop at a time. When you say trip, it’s not going to mean a long trip right away. May mga stopovers rin for them to get better,” he added. “We cannot climb Mt. Everest in one go. We have to take it one step at a time. Yun yung gusto kong gawin. If we win, that would be OK. If we lose, we need to try again and get better.”
Tenorio explained that he has an option whether to enlist himself purely as a coach or reserve a slot for himself and allow him to play when needed.
As a coach, Tenorio is veering away from the triangle offense, which he had learned for many years from his long-time mentor Tim Cone and instead wants to implement a system that suits his personality as a player.
“I don’t want to chance my personality being a player and being a coach,” said Tenorio. “Of course, there are certain things that you want to change. Being competitive and a long-time coach inside the court, I’ve been doing that for the past how many years ever sicne my Ateneo days, I was already a coach inside the court and as extension of the head coach, gusto kong bigyan ng freedom yung mga players to play through their strengths.”
“I want them to recognize that. I think part of being a player is being smart also. Yes, playing hard is automatic. If you’re a player, you’re being paid to play in the PBA, you’re being paid to play in the professional circuit. But playing smart is the big question. You have to play hard, but you have to play smart, too. As a player, I play hard and I play smart and I want my players to do the same.”
