LA Tenorio’s first coaching victory in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) was as meaningful as it was difficult.
The newly-minted Magnolia Timplados Hotshots coach guided his squad to an 80-73 triumph over his former team, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings, Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the opener of the league’s 50th Philippine Cup.
For Tenorio, who spent 17 decorated seasons as Ginebra’s floor general before taking the reins at Magnolia, it was not just another game.
“It was really hard. Emotionally, I had to battle,” Tenorio admitted after the game. “I really had to challenge my players that it’s not about me and coach Tim (Cone). I told them to focus on our system and on what we wanted to do as a team.”
The Gin Kings, coached by Tim Cone—Tenorio’s longtime mentor—mounted a furious rally in the fourth quarter, slicing a 63-48 Magnolia advantage down to just six points. But the Hotshots regrouped behind the steady play of Mark Barroca, rookie Zav Lucero, and Jerom Lastimosa, unleashing a 7-0 run that restored a double-digit cushion, 72-59, with under six minutes left.
Tenorio credited his players for staying locked in despite the emotional backdrop of the match.
“The players were really ready going into this game,” he said. “I could feel it from the start. I guess they really wanted to give this first win sa akin, so I truly appreciate their effort and their focus.”
Lucero stood tall with a game-high 17 points, combining with Javi Gomez de Liano and Lastimosa for a strong third-quarter push that broke the game open. Magnolia’s defense then clamped down on Ginebra, holding them to just five points in the final six minutes of the third.
Despite the loss, Ginebra showed resilience, with Stephen Holt leading the way with 16 points and 17 rebounds.
For Tenorio, however, the night was less about numbers and more about the personal milestone of beginning his coaching career with a victory—ironically against the team and coach who helped shape him into the player and leader he became.
“It’s not easy, honestly,” Tenorio confessed. “But this win is just the start. My challenge now is to keep building this team, keep earning the players’ trust, and focus on the bigger picture this conference.”
