LA Tenorio admitted there are still no concrete plans for his return — leaving his status in limbo as the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings ramp up their playoff push in the season-ending Philippine Cup.
LA Tenorio just led the country’s basketball future to a Southeast Asian title.
However, whether he’ll be part of Barangay Ginebra’s playoff push in the PBA Philippine Cup remains unclear.
“Wala pa. Ngayon lang ako nakapunta ulit. Wala pa naman plano na bumalik ako sa roster ng Ginebra actually,” Tenorio said following Brgy. Ginebra’s 85-81 comeback win over the Magnolia Hotshots Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 40-year-old guard had been placed on Ginebra’s unrestricted free agent list in late April to let him focus on his duties as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas Youth, which he led to a dominant 6-0 sweep of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers in Pampanga.
[ALSO READ: Gilas Youth coach LA Tenorio on FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers win: 'We're more ready']
Tenorio returned to the Ginebra bench in street clothes for the Manila Clasico, watching from the sidelines as the team clinched a quarterfinal berth and improved to 6-3 — good for fourth behind co-leaders NLEX Road Warriors and the Hotshots (7-2) and the San Miguel Beermen (6-2).
[ALSO READ: PBA: Ginebra Gin Kings outlast Magnolia Hotshots in Manila Clasico]
While the eight-time champion’s leadership has been missed, the Gin Kings have managed with Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, and Maverick Ahanmisi sharing the playmaking load.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Tim Cone says win vs Magnolia ‘huge statement game’ for Ginebra]
Tenorio, a four-time Finals MVP, said his schedule remains tied up with medical commitments and national team responsibilities.
“This week, hindi rin ako makakapunta ng practice kasi I have to go to Singapore for my regular check-up. Pinostpone ko na kasi last month,” the 40-year-old point guard revealed.
He continued: “But after that, we’ll talk about the plans.”
Even Tenorio’s Gilas Youth calendar remains uncertain.
“Hindi ko rin alam ‘yung plano sa Batang Gilas, kung ano ‘yung schedule nila. Nakadepende rin ako sa schedule nila,” he insisted.
[ALSO READ: LA Tenorio grateful after SEABA gold, but knows ‘lot of work to be done’]
Brgy. Ginebra is set to face Grand Slam-seeking TNT Tropang 5G on June 8 before closing out the eliminations against Rain or Shine one week later.
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)