LA Tenorio has been one of the most steady floor generals to ever don the Gilas Pilipinas jersey over the past decade.
The 5-foot-9 floor general competed in several FIBA Asia Cups and a World Cup.
And so when the new breed of Gilas players took the floor during the Clark window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, he took notice.
Tenorio does not want to compare new Gilas point guards SJ Belangel and RJ Abarrientos to greats Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro, though. Of course, Alapag and Castro were different beasts on the international stage.
“I think of course, ang nakikita ko ‘yung RJ is Johnny A eh. Ginagaya talaga niya ‘yung uncle niya eh,” Tenorio said on The Game.
“I don’t want to compare them to Jimmy and Jayson because they have different skills. Jimmy is a different kind of point guard and Jayson also. Siguro they both have a glimpse of Jayson, pagsamahin mo kasi very talented sila. Talagang daredevil drive palagi.”
Belangel normed 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists during the Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Abarrientos averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 rebounds per game.
The four-time PBA Finals Most Valuable Player also said that the two 5-foot-10 guards are already better than him.
“I don’t see myself sa kanila kasi mas magaling sila. Hands down ako sa kanila. As early as now, how important yung position at ginagawa nila.”
As an Atenean himself, Tenorio also feels glad to see incoming Blue Eagles senior SJ Belangel improve before the UAAP Season 84 tournament begins.
“I’m very happy, especially for Ateneo also.”
