LA Tenorio snared his first win as Magnolia head coach as he bested his former team, the Tim Cone-led Ginebra, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup opener.
Magnolia roared to a blistering start, slowed down, but revved up to prevail in its Manila Clasico duel with Ginebra, 80-73, in the PBA Season 50 opener at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Sunday, Oct. 5.
LA Tenorio thus made a triumphant coaching debut for the Hotshots, who opened the match with a 21-7 lead.
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The Hotshots tackle the Titan Ultra, formerly NorthPort, next on Oct. 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Earlier, the PBA feted the legends from the past which included four-time MVPs Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio, as well as Atoy Co and Benjie Paras.
[RELATED STORY: Tenorio says Magnolia win isn’t about him but the players: ‘I’m just here to guide them']
Magnolia vs. Ginebra Scores:
MAGNOLIA 80 – Lucero 17, lastimosa 14, Gomez de Liano 14, dela Rosa 12, Sangalang 9, Barroca 7, Laput 5, Dionisio 2, Lee 0, Verano 0, Alfaro 0, Escoto 0
GINEBRA 73 – Holt 16, Gray 13, Rosario 12, Abarrientos 11, Estil 9, J.Aguilar 5, Cu 3, Torres 2, David 2, Thompson 0
Quarterscores: 23-14, 36-30, 61-48, 80-73
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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.