There has been no shortage of great coaches who have mentored LA Tenorio, from Joel Banal and Norman Black during his Ateneo de Manila days; to Chot Reyes with Gilas Pilipinas; and now Tim Cone with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Add Yeng Guiao to that list.
Tenorio has finally returned to the Gilas program after a long while. And he now has a chance to learn from the fiery Guiao, who has recently been named head coach of the national team following Reyes’ “stepping aside.”
“I’m very excited kasi this is my first time to play under coach Yeng,” he said.
“I heard a lot of good things sa mga former players tsaka sa mga players ni coach Yeng, so ngayon makikita ko na with my eyes ‘yung mga sinasabi sa akin.”
Along with fellow Gin Kings Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, and Scottie Thompson, Tenorio took part in Gilas’ practice Sunday night – barely three nights from seeing their two-year PBA Governors’ Cup reign end.
Sunday marked the first time Tenorio joined Gilas since the Nationals’ preparations for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament back in 2016, when the decorated Tab Baldwin still handled the program.
“Twenty-sixteen that was almost three years ago.
“Okay naman. Very excited, looking forward sa everyday practice,” the 34-year-old floor general shared.
Except for a few faces, the cagers Tenorio is working with this time around are different from the ones he shared the court with years back. But with the pool touted as the best-ever assembled, Tenorio is excited.
“With all the talents that we have in this team, I’m really looking forward to play with them, to learn from them,” said Tenorio, a multi-time medalist in the global arena, including a golden finish in the 2012 Jones Cup where he starred.
“Really excited, looking forward to be here, to practice with the best players in the PBA.”
