It takes a village, or in this case, a whole team to make a triumphant debut in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, says Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio.
LA Tenorio sat silently on the bench moments before the tipoff of the Manila Clasico showdown that would usher in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
It was the calm before the storm, as he prepared to face a tough challenge in his debut as head coach of Magnolia.
Facing his former coach and team in Brgy. Ginebra, Tenorio was all business, guiding his team to a blistering start to claim an 80-73 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Sunday, Oct. 5.
But Tenorio was not one to bask in the glory alone.
Zavier Lucero celebrates during Magnolia's Manila Clasico showdown with Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Sunday, Oct. 5. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
During the post-game press conference, the ex-Gin Kings star was quick to defer the praise to his wards, who put in the work to give him and themselves a triumphant start.
“It’s not about me. It’s about the players; it’s about the Magnolia team. Ako lang ang tinitingnan dito pero in the bigger picture, it’s really the team of Magnolia. I’m just here to guide them,” Tenorio said.
“At the end of the day, sabi ko nga sa mga players, it’s them versus the five of Ginebra inside the floor. It’s not me against coach Tim, because you can only do so much. We can just give instructions during timeouts. Bottomline is, it's the players talaga.”
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Magnolia kickstarts PBA 50 journey on a high
The Hotshots raced off to a rousing 21-7 start, faltered for a while before regaining control to log win No. 1.
“I guess they really wanted to give this first win sa akin, 'no? So I really appreciate my players, and I hope this will be the start of a good journey,” said Tenorio.
Zavier Lucero shone the brightest for Magnolia, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block.
Jerom Lastimosa backed him up with 14 points, two rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block, while new Hotshot Javi Gomez de Liaño shot four triples for 14 markers.
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Meanwhile, leading Ginebra was Stephen Holt, who logged a double-double of 16 points and 17 rebounds. He also had four assists and a steal.
Jeremiah Gray turned in his best game in a while after grappling with injuries as he came up with 13 points. Troy Rosario and newly minted Rookie of the Year RJ Abarrientos scored 12 apiece.
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.