Ginebra stars Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar offered their full support to LA Tenorio as the longtime Gin Kings guard is now the new head coach for the Magnolia Hotshots.
Scottie Thompson was as shocked as everyone else when LA Tenorio’s move to Magnolia as the new Hotshots head coach was announced Monday, July 28.
While the former MVP is sad to see someone like Tenorio jump sides in the Manila Clasico rivalry, Thompson is also thrilled for his now former teammate as LA embarks on a new PBA journey.
[Related: LA Tenorio takes over as Magnolia Hotshots head coach from Chito Victolero]
“Shocking news for us. But I’m happy for kuya LA, at the same time sad for us as a team kasi mawawala yung pinaka-leader [namin],” said Thompson.
“Sakin personally, siya pinaka nilo-look up [to] ko at tumutulong sakin sa Ginebra. Siya nag-guide sa akin, so mixed emotions,” he added.
Longtime Ginebra and Gilas teammate Japeth Aguilar shared the same sentiment on Tenorio’s shock move to the Hotshots.
“It’s also bittersweet because long time teammate ko siya. As much as gusto ko siyang makasama sa team, he’ll [now] be on the other side,” Aguilar said.
“Pero at the same time happy ako [para] sa kanya. I will support him no matter what.”
Unlike Thompson, Aguilar said the news didn’t come as a big surprise for him.
With LA now 41 years old and his prior appointment as Gilas Youth head coach, Tenorio’s transition to the PBA sidelines seemed inevitable.
“Sinasabi niya na ‘this might be my last [conference].’ May mga hints na. That’s why we wanted to win that game [Game 7 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semis],” Aguilar said.
With Tenorio now bound for Magnolia, Japeth is confident that the Hotshots will make great strides under LA’s leadership.
“Hindi ko ma-explain kung anong leadership meron kay LA pero ibang klase, talagang magugustuhan, magbe-benefit kung sino mang team ang ico-coach niya,” he said.
(With reports from Mei-lin Lozada)