THOUSANDS OF MILES TO GO
LA Tenorio wasn’t letting one win, even a meaningful one, get to his head.
The rookie coach made a strong debut in the PBA, steering Magnolia to an 80-73 win over Barangay Ginebra on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The victory came at the expense of his former team and long-time mentor Tim Cone, but Tenorio was quick to downplay any celebration.
“I cannot be complacent just because we won this game,” he said after the Hotshots capped the league’s golden season opener with a gritty win. “Yes, we got this win out of our chest, but this is just the start of our journey.”
Tenorio is barely two months into his coaching career, appointed by San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to take over a Magnolia squad determined to end a seven-year title drought. The role still feels new, but the win over the Gin Kings is a promising start.
Magnolia’s defense looked like its old, aggressive self—once a trademark under Chito Victolero. Zavier Lucero picked up where he left off last season, while newcomer Javi Gomez de Liaño made an immediate impact in his first game in a Hotshots uniform.
Tenorio received congratulatory pats on the back postgame, including one from SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua. But his message remained grounded.
“I told the players that we have to get better every day. We have to be disciplined, we have to be focused on the things we need to do and not worry about the other team,” Tenorio said. “The important thing is that we worry about what we want to do on the court.”
That mindset applies to himself as well.
“I want to learn every day, I want to get better and I want as much as possible to stay disciplined in teaching and guiding my players in what I want to do for this team. So I can’t be comfortable. I’ll probably take a breather in a day or two, then we’ll focus on our next games.”
Magnolia’s next assignments come on Oct. 17 against the Titan Ultra Giant Risers at the Big Dome and Oct. 19 versus Meralco at Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal—two tough challenges in their all-Filipino campaign.
For Cone and Ginebra, it was a rough night.
The Gin Kings fell behind early, trailing 10-0 and later 15-3, and committed 21 turnovers. Scottie Thompson was held scoreless, while Japeth Aguilar managed just five points. Rookie Stephen Holt posted a double-double and Sonny Estil impressed in his debut, but their efforts weren’t enough.
“I’m happy for LA, sad for myself,” Cone said.
Ginebra now faces a quick turnaround as it prepares to face TNT, which is coming off a championship season and has retooled with key additions, including pesky guard Jio Jalalon.
The Tropang 5G will enter that game refreshed and motivated after meeting their fans on Monday.
TNT and PLDT High Speed Hitters, celebrated with their fans in an event dubbed “Champions Together” at One Ayala Mall Activity Center in Makati City.
The whole-day activity allowed stars of both teams to mingle with fans and join in several activities.
