Jayson Castro is happy for former Gilas Pilipinas teammate LA Tenorio, who will now call the shots as head coach for the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA.
There’s no doubt in Jayson Castro’s mind that LA Tenorio always had the makings of a basketball head coach.
That’s why it didn’t come a surprise when he learned his former Gilas Pilipinas teammate was taking over as coach for the Magnolia Hotshots ahead of the PBA’s 50th season.
“To be honest, sobrang happy ako sa kaniya kasi madalang lang yung from player to head coach kaagad, yung transition na ganoon,” Castro said.
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Given Tenorio’s basketball IQ, the TNT superstar knew it was only a matter of time before the now-former Ginebra point guard would take his talents to the PBA sidelines, especially as LA was already handed the reins for Gilas Pilipinas Youth.
“Sobrang happy ako kasi nakita ko siya during our college, kasi teammate ko siya noong PBL days and national team, kung gaano kagaling na player and then yung basketball IQ niya sobrang taas. Bagay naman talaga siyang mag-head coach,” Castro said.
But does Tenorio making the jump from player to coach entice Castro to do the same?
The two-time Best Point Guard in Asia answered in the negative. Right now, Castro is happy where he is as still an active player for the Tropang 5G.
“Never ko pang naisip. Kasi to be honest, nag-e-enjoy pa ako as a player. I think yung competitiveness ko nandoon pa,” said Castro, who is recovering from a knee injury.
Even at 39 years old, Castro said he is as hungry as he was when first entered the league in 2008.
“I think blessing din yung na-injury ako na nakapagpahinga ako kaya para maka-recover at the same time, maramdaman ko rin ulit yung eagerness na bumalik. Yun din yung isa sa mga iniisip ko na naging blessing,” he said.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.