Alfrancis Chua and Justin Brownlee will be the least surprised should LA Tenorio decide to become a playing-coach for the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA.
SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua will be the least surprised should LA Tenorio decide to be a playing-coach for the Magnolia Hotshots in the upcoming 50th season of the PBA.
Chua floated the idea on Monday, July 28, when he announced that the former Ginebra skipper will take the reins from coach Chito Victolero as Hotshots head coach.
[RELATED STORY: Official: LA Tenorio takes over as Magnolia Hotshots head coach from Chito Victolero]
“He didn’t say na he's retired, he’s not gonna hang his jersey. But coaching is a very difficult job. Full time yan,” said Chua of Tenorio's transfer from Ginebra to Magnolia.
“Pero malay mo maisipin niyang pag may ma-injure na point guard tapos pag laruin natin. Malay mo may second [Robert] Jaworski, di mo masasabi.”
Tenorio pulling off a Robert Jaworski is not farfetched as far Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee is concerned.
After all, Tenorio has been like a coach to the beloved naturalized Filipino ever since he first donned the Ginebra jersey in 2016.
And just a few weeks ago, the pint-sized guard showed he still has some magic up his sleeve, emerging as the Game 6 hero for the Gin Kings in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals against San Miguel.
[ALSO READ: LA Tenorio after saving Ginebra in Game 6 of PBA semis: ‘I felt like a rookie again’]
“Obviously you've seen what he did in the playoffs. He still got a game and he still got a lot that he can give, I feel like,” said Brownlee of Tenorio.
“I’m not sure about coaching and playing, I know that could be a little difficult, but I know if anybody can do it, I am sure he can do it because I feel like he's been doing it his whole career anyway.”
Brownlee added: “He's coaching, always explaining stuff, especially to the youngsters, and even myself throughout my whole career. He's always given me great feedback, and great advice on the game.”
[ALSO READ: Ginebra teammates back LA Tenorio's 'bittersweet' move to Magnolia as head coach]
Being a PBA playing-coach is quite the responsibility, and the decision ultimately rests on Tenorio.
What’s certain right now is that LA will undoubtedly become a great mentor for the Hotshots, said Brownlee.
“I'm definitely happy for him. I know he's gonna be a great coach, and he's gonna do a great job over there,” he said.