MANILA, Philippines — Manila Clasico won’t ever be the identical, particularly for Barangay Ginebra gamers who will now face LA Tenorio as the brand new head coach for archnemesis Magnolia beginning in PBA Season 50 in October.
From teammates to rivals, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos and Justin Brownlee stay up for a bittersweet second once they share the court docket with “Kuya” LA albeit from totally different ends in an unbelievable whirlwind of PBA order.
Tenorio, initially from San Miguel and Alaska because the No. 4 decide within the 2006 draft, has been with Ginebra as its chief since 2012 earlier than being named by SMC sports activities director Alfrancis Chua on Monday as the brand new mentor in Magnolia in lieu of its long-time coach Chito Victolero.
And that has not sunk in but to any Gin King, together with resident import and Gilas Pilipinas naturalized participant Brownlee, who appears as much as Tenorio as his second coach subsequent to Tim Cone since his arrival within the PBA in 2016.
“I can’t consider it, man. However to be trustworthy, in my 9 years within the Philippines taking part in for Ginebra, I really feel like LA has been my second coach on the ground,” stated Brownlee, who’s been with the Gin Kings since 2016.
“His moniker is ‘The Common’ for a purpose and I want him nothing however the most effective. It’s like a bittersweet feeling. Clearly, Magnolia is Ginebra’s greatest rival and yeah, I can’t wait to see what Manila Clasico is gonna be like, particularly with LA now on the opposite aspect.”
Tenorio and Brownlee have gained six championships collectively in nearly a decade however he and Aguilar have been taking part in collectively longer for nearly 20 years, making it a tricky transition for the latter.
“Di ko ma-imagine ‘yung ganun na makikita ko sya sa kabilang aspect. Hindi ako makakapaniwala,” stated Aguilar, who has additionally been with Tenorio since Ateneo and their Gilas days.