With Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia set to open the PBA’s 50th season this Sunday, fans are left to wonder if LA Tenorio will pull double duty as player and coach in his Hotshots debut.
But Magnolia team governor Jason Webb said he and Tenorio plan to discuss things in the coming days, though he admitted the possibility of the former Ginebra guard calling the shots on the sidelines and manning the backcourt at the same time is remote. ‘It’s something that LA and I have not discussed yet,’ Webb told Inquirer after the league’s press conference at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City on Wednesday.
‘But I think if you’re looking at the probabilities, I think there’s a greater probability that he’ll be starting in the injured reserve. He started practice late because he was so busy training the boys.’
The Hotshots have until noon Saturday, the eve of the ‘Manila Clasico’ to decide if Tenorio will place himself in the active roster.
Otherwise, Tenorio will put his focus on trying to outcoach Cone and open his tenure on a winning note.
‘It’s exciting,’ Webb said. ‘I’m not sure for the Ginebra fans if it’s exciting for them or not. It’s their first time seeing LA without a red jersey. But we’ll have a final decision come Saturday afternoon, Saturday noon.’
The PBA decided to place the Ginebra-Magnolia encounter to add spice to the start of its landmark golden season.
Tenorio was appointed to replace Chito Victolero as Magnolia coach in late July, but Magnolia had to go through the proper procedure to make sure he could also play for the Hotshots as well.
Webb said Tenorio was placed by Ginebra on the unrestricted free agent with the right to receive salary before moving to Magnolia when no other team expressed interest in acquiring the veteran after five days.