There’s no doubt for Tim Cone that LA Tenorio deserves to be in the discussion of the PBA’s top five point guards of all time.
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel head coach offered that opinion when asked by Noli Eala in Saturday’s episode of his Power and Play program.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he has got up to that level,” said Cone, who guested on the show together with Tenorio.
The 36-year-old recently led the Gin Kings to their first Philippine Cup championship in 13 years. It was his first-ever title in the league’s most prestigious conference, racking up his ring count to six in the process.
The win was sweeter since Tenorio also received the honor of Finals Most Valuable Player thanks to his crucial playmaking. He averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in the series versus TNT.
It was actually the 14-year league veteran’s fourth Finals MVP award, tying Danny Seigle and two-time league MVP James Yap. And Cone was in awe upon learning what Tenorio had just accomplished.
“It’s an amazing record. To be able to step up and win four Finals MVP? Wow. I didn’t know that ’til just now,” the 62-year-old bench tactician said.
“If there was any doubt, that takes a moment to talk.”
It was truly a great way for Tenorio to cap off what was a challenging year for him. He even underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy just a few weeks before the season resumed.
But he made sure not to miss their debut and any game after that, keeping his Ironman streak very much alive. The Game Five of the best-of-seven Finals was actually his 663rd consecutive game.
At the end of the day, though, Cone said that he’s just blessed to coach some of the league’s best floor generals, from 1996 MVP Johnny Abarrientos in Alaska to now with Tenorio, whom he had also coached in the Aces before.
“I’ve been blessed with coaching some really good point guards. Before, Johnny Abarrientos, and now LA. I’ve been really blessed,” he expressed.
Those guards were key in his success in the league. He won his first Grand Slam in 1996 with Abarrientos and the Milkmen, and then won his record-extending 23rd title with Tenorio and the Barangay.
“It’s so funny because, throughout my career, I wanted to be a Triangle guy. I wanted to be like the Chicago Bulls, and I’m always looking for that Scottie Pippen – you know, that tall point guard who can handle the ball.
“And I end up doing my most success with two of the smallest guys in the PBA,” Cone said with a smile.
