Newly-installed Magnolia governor Jason Webb has been in the shoes of newbie coaches LA Tenorio, Willie Wilson and Ronald Tubid and knew exactly the tough task of having to prove their worth against the big boys in the PBA coaching circuit.
“It’s going to be interesting. You have the new generation of coaches, who are either still playing or had been removed from playing just a few years ago and are now coaching in the PBA for the first time,” Webb told Pinoystep.com. “There’s that big spectrum if you compare them to a Tim Cone, Leo Austria, Chot Reyes, Jong Uichico and Yeng Guiao, all of them multi-titled coaches.”
“But these new coaches will have something to prove.”
Tenorio has been elevated to the active roster of the Hotshots and likely to play the role as playing coach where he might join the ranks of The Living Legend Robert Jaworski, Noman Black, Ramon Fernandez and Bobby Parks.
Aside from Tenorio, also coaching for the first time are former players like Tubid and Wilson, who be calling the shots for Terrafirma and Phoenix, respectively. Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda has also joined the PBA newbie coaching ranks as he is assuming the role as new bench tactician of Converge.
In an early interview, Tenorio explained that he had kept the doors open on the possibility of playing while coaching as he intends to use it as a therapy to keep himself in tip-top condition.
A few years ago, Tenorio was forced to take a semi-retirement, but returned to play with Barangay Ginebra once more after winning the bout with colon cancer.
According to Webb, Magnolia absorbed Tenorio’s live contract with Ginebra when the veteran guard was named coach of the old Purefoods franchise. His name appeared on the active roster of the Hotshots for upcoming season, giving strong indications that he is likely to suit for the squad while also coaching his first season.
“LA has a live contract with Ginebra at the end of the year, so he still has, if I’m not mistaken, an entire year as a player. Mahirap naman kung Coach namin siya tapos player siya ng Ginebra, mahihirapan kami noon,” said Webb in jest.
Turning serious, Webb believes Tenorio can provide that playoff savvy that the Hotshots might need, especially if they make a deep run.
“It’s such an advantage., Can you imagine, he comes in as our 16th guy. Malay natin, we’re going to need a guy like LA in the playoffs and we’ve seen what he had done in the playoffs. Personally, I’ve seen what he has done in the playoffs against our team, so for him, the door is there. So it’s his choice to enter that door or to keep it close,” added Webb.
Tenorio will immediately get his baptism of fire when he debuts against his former team, Ginebra, to kick off the league’s 50th season opener.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial explained the rationale behind the early collision of two of the league’s most popular teams.
“Kahit ano namang teams, puwedeng ilagay sa opening ng 50th, naisip lang namin na lagyan ng konting drama — Tim Cone versus LA Tenorio — so doon lang kami nanggagaling. Pero kahit sinong team ilagay mo doon, suguradong papasukin rin kasi 50th anniversary,” added Marcial.
