LA TENORIO set another milestone, becoming only the seventh player-head coach in the PBA’s 50-year history. Rest assured though that it will not be a one-and-done thing.
Mr. Tenorio is likely to continue serving as Magnolia’s playing coach come the PBA Season 50 playoffs with the uncertainty of the return by its injured main floor generals in Jerom Lastimosa and Paul Lee.
Mr. Lastimosa is nursing a grade 2 ankle sprain while Mr. Lee got hit with a hamstring injury, prompting Mr. Tenorio’s activation into the 15-man roster from the injured/reserve list at the end of the elimination round.
“Hopefully they can come back. But if not, then, I’ll be ready. I’ve been practicing with them just to keep in shape and be ready,” said Mr. Tenorio, who tallied four points, two rebounds and three assists in over 13 minutes of play.
Mr. Tenorio has four days to weigh in 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.
Before that though, Mr. Tenorio etched another mark in the Philippine basketball annals, where he’s already the Iron Man with 744 played games in a row in 17 years, by following the footsteps of legendary player-coaches in history.
Mr. Tenorio, three months into his appointment from a Ginebra player to Magnolia coach, replicated the feats of Robert Jaworski, Sr., Ramon Fernandez, Norman Black, Bobby Parks, Sr., Allan Caidic and Manny Pacquiao.
He also became the 42nd player in history to play for both Manila Clasico teams Ginebra and Magnolia as one of the country’s greatest rivalries.
“It’s really an opportunity and a blessing to coach and play. It boils down to the trust of the management and the team. They know that I can still lead the team (on and off the court). It’s really a great opportunity that I will not waste,” the eight-time PBA champion and four-time Finals MVP beamed.
His debut as a player-coach got spoiled by his long-time Gilas Pilipinas mentor Chot Reyes after TNT’s 94-83 win but for Mr. Tenorio, it’s all part of the learning process — for him as a young coach and for Magnolia as a rising team.
“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,” said Mr. Tenorio in his PBA court return since last suiting up for the Gin Kings in the Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals last July.
“I have a young team. Probably one of the youngest teams dito sa PBA and they’re still learning also. We got to have patience, believe and keep fighting.” — John Bryan Ulanday
