LA Tenorio set another milestone by becoming only the seventh playing-coach in the PBA’s 50-year history. And it could be an extended chore for the Magnolia coach.
Tenorio is likely to continue serving as Magnolia’s playing coach for the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs in the absence of floor generals Jerom Lastimosa and Paul Lee.
Lastimosa is nursing a Grade 2 ankle sprain while Lee is out with a hamstring injury, prompting Tenorio’s activation into the 15-man roster at the end of the elimination round.
‘Hopefully they can come back. But if not, then, I’ll be ready naman. I’ve been practicing with them kahit ‘nung mga una pa. Magpa-practice naman talaga ako sa kanila just to keep in shape and be ready,’ said Tenorio, who tallied four points, two rebounds and three assists in over 13 minutes of play Sunday.
Tenorio has four days to decide on his final roster before the Hotshots’ quarterfinal series kick-off against the TNT Tropang 5G this Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as changes will not be allowed once it starts.
It’s a matchup between the same teams that duked it out in a key match Sunday. TNT claimed the third spot while dashing Magnolia’s Top Four hopes with a 94-83 win.
Before joining the league’s list of playing-coaches, Tenorio etched a mark in the Philippine basketball annals in playing a record 744 consecutive games in 17 years to earn the ‘Iron Man’ tag.
Then three months into his appointment as Magnolia coach, Tenorio replicated the feats of Robert Jaworksi Sr., Ramon Fernandez, Norman Black, Bobby Parks Sr., Allan Caidic and Manny Pacquiao as PBA individuals who played the game while also calling the shots for the team.
‘It’s really an opportunity and a blessing to coach and play. It boils down to the trust of the management and the team sa akin. They know that I can still lead the team. It’s really a great opportunity that I will not waste,’ the eight-time PBA champion and four-time Finals MVP beamed.
‘Mahirap. It’s not easy but it’s doable. Laban lang and just keep believing in ourselves.’
However, his debut as a player-coach was spoiled by his long-time Gilas Pilipinas mentor Chot Reyes. For Tenorio, it’s all part of the learning process.
‘It’s different because I’m still new to the team. I’m still learning the players. Unlike when I was in Ginebra, I’ve been playing for 10-11 years,’ he said. ‘Dito kasi nagkakapaan pa rin eh.’