Magnolia coach LA Tenorio scored a huge win over his former coach, Tim Cone, and ex-teammates in Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 opener Sunday, Oct. 5.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone isn’t making a fuss about facing his former ward, now Magnolia mentor, LA Tenorio, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup opener Sunday, Oct. 5.
This even if Tenorio won the duel for his new team, Magnolia, 80-73, for a triumphant debut in his new role.
“It has nothing to do with anything. I'm happy for LA, sad for myself. You guys are making a big deal out of it... We’re friends,” Cone told reporters after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
[RELATED STORY: Tenorio says Magnolia win isn’t about him but the players: ‘I’m just here to guide them']
Coach vs former player faceoff not a first for Cone
Besides, it was not the first time that Cone faced his former charge in his decorated career that began in 1989 with the now-defunct Alaska.
“It's the same thing when I played against Chot Reyes, Jeff Cariaso, John-John Cardel or Willy Wilson. They're all my ex-players, ex-coaches. Luigi Trillo [also], you know. It's the same,” Cone said.
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But while it may be just one of the many games for Cone, the 25-time champion coach knew what the win meant for Tenorio.
“It's much bigger for LA than it was for me tonight. Put it that way. It was his first game; he's going to remember it," said Cone.
"I'm going to forget this one really quickly,” he added.
No double celebration for newly minted RJ Abarrientos, as LA Tenorio's new crew, Magnolia, kept him and his Ginebra team from going home with a win. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Right now, the seasoned coach is focusing on how his wards will bounce back from the tough loss.
“Nothing positive tonight. I didn't see anybody really play well. Our first group has to pick it up,” Cone said.
“We can't get off to a bad start like we did tonight. It all starts from our first group. You know, Scottie Thompson and the rest. They've all got to pick it up. We can't afford to play like that together.”
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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.