Chot Reyes and TNT didn't go easy on LA Tenorio, who saw action for the first time as playing-coach for Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
TNT coach Chot Reyes felt immense pride seeing a former player excel in coaching.
But that doesn’t mean he was going to go easy on Magnolia playing-coach LA Tenorio, especially with a playoff bonus on the line Sunday night, Dec. 21.
That was evident in TNT’s 94-83 win over the Hotshots in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
[RELATED: TNT spoils LA Tenorio's Magnolia debut as playing-coach as Tropang 5G get PBA playoff bonus]
Reyes said he expected Tenorio to see action for the Hotshots to give them the jolt against well-oiled Tropang 5G.
“I thought I knew he was going to start to give them a big boost of energy at the start. The last instruction to my players was don’t let that affect our energy,” Reyes said of Tenorio, who was activated a day before the matchup.
The Tropang 5G heeded Reyes’ instruction.
After trailing 4-11, TNT wrested control and went on to rain on Tenorio’s parade to claim a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals with an 8-3 record.
Jordan Heading had a lot to do with that as he topscored for TNT with 23 points, including 14 in the third period — six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
Calvin Oftana added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Tropang 5G, who had to hold off a searing Hotshots rally in fourth period.
The Hotshots pulled to within five on debuting rookie Yukien Andrada’s booming trey with 1:07 left to play in regulation.
But the Tropang 5G held on for crucial win at the Big Dome.
“We knew they were going to come out super pumped because they had a coach alongside them. But sabi namin let’s make sure we keep up our own level of energy,” said Reyes.
Zavier Lucero paced Magnplia with 17 points, nine rebounds, an assist, a steal, and three blocks.
Mark Barroca scored 16 points, Ian Sangalang hauled down 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Andrada added 12 points and nine rebounds.
Tenorio wound up with four points, two rebounds, and three assists but the Hotshots dropped to the lower half of the quarterfinal cast at 6-5.
TNT vs Magnolia Scores:
TNT 94 – Heading 23, Oftana 17, Nambatac 11, Williams 11, Pogoy 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 9, Jalalon 7, Galinato 4, Khobuntin 2, Ferrer 0, Aurin 0
MAGNOLIA 83 – Lucero 17, Barroca 16, Sangalang 12, Andrada 12, Gomez de Liano 9, Dela Rosa 6, Alfaro 5, Tenorio 4, Koon 2, Verano 0, Laput 0, Escoto 0
Quarterscores: 27-20, 47-38, 7462, 94-83
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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.