LA Tenorio was quick to deflect the full credit for emerging triumphant in his debut as Magnolia coach in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday, which came at the expense of his former team Barangay Ginebra.
Tenorio could only praise his players after the 80-73 victory for the way they were able to jump at the start with a 10-0 lead before foiling flashes of comeback by the Gin Kings before a big crowd at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
‘I guess they really want to get this first win for me so I appreciate my players and I hope this is the start of the journey for the Magnolia team,’ Tenorio said after also prevailing in his battle of wits with Ginebra counterpart and long-time mentor Tim Cone.
‘But it’s not about me. People only look at me but they have to see the bigger picture. I’m just here to guide them. At the end of the day, it’s them against the five Ginebra players on the court, not me against Coach Tim because we can only do so much.’
Magnolia got big contributions from Zavier Lucero, who picked up where he left off from making the Mythical Second Team and All-Defensive Team last season, with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Jerom Lastimosa and Javi Gomez de Liano were also vital in the win that should give the Hotshots some confidence in their quest to end the long title drought with Tenorio calling the shots.
Tenorio, however, doesn’t want to get carried away too much.
‘I feel great that we got the win, but we did not achieve anything. It’s just one win in the standings,’ he said.