LA Tenorio thankful for ‘new’ opportunity

FOR 16 years, PBA fans are used to seeing LA Tenorio run the show at backcourt as a playmaker for San Miguel, Alaska and for the last 10 years, with Barangay Ginebra.

But for a change, the 39-year-old Tenorio will have a new role as he serves as one of Gilas interim coach Tim Cone’s assistants in the Philippines’ preparations for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

LA Tenorio FIBA PHOTO 

Tenorio admitted the role switch caught him by surprise initially, considering he was set to work out as he prepares for his much-awaited comeback since being diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer several months back.

“I was supposed to do my workout already but with this call as [assistant] coach, it’s something I can’t say no to,” Tenorio told One Sports’ Martie Bautista.

“For me to represent the country is a blessing and a calling. Despite everything that happened to me, I was still given an opportunity to be part of the national team, that’s why when I was told [to be part of Cone’s coaching staff], I didn’t even have second thoughts,” added the long-time PBA star, who will join Richard del Rosario, Jong Uichico and Josh Reyes in Cone’s coaching staff.

Tenorio is coming in with tons of basketball experience, having been playing the sport since his grade school level, winning a championship in college with Ateneo, along with capturing eight PBA titles as a pro.

The PBA’s “Iron Man” also won a gold in the 2012 William Jones, a silver with Gilas in the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup and a bronze the following year, while also becoming part of the national side that saw action in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain.

His last Gilas stint happened in 2019 where the Philippine team swept its way to the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in Manila.