LA Tenorio named new Gilas Youth coach with ‘continuity’ in mind

LA Tenorio helps out during Gilas Pilipinas practice.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra veteran guard LA Tenorio will take the reins as the newest head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth program, the  Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced Tuesday.

The longtime PBA playmaker admitted feeling pressure in taking the role of guiding the national team’s juniors basketball program after the departure of Josh Reyes.

“There’s a lot of pressure in the role because I’ll have big shoes to fill,” said Tenorio in a press release by SBP.

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“What coach Josh Reyes accomplished by making it to two World Cups is not an easy feat but I’m excited to work with our young players and help them reach their full potential.”

Tenorio’s appointment comes with SBP’s plans of aligning with the direction of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s team program headed by Tim Cone.

FILE–Ginebra guard LA Tenorio is the new coach of the Gilas Pilipinas youth team. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Tenorio, who is also part of coach Cone’s staff at Gilas, said he has already talked to his Gin Kings’ tactician.

“I already talked to coach Tim and I’ll be running a similar system so our Youth players can easily transition to the men’s team,” he said.

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SBP Executive Director Erika Dy said Cone’s interest in having a continuous program from the boys’ division to the men’s team made the decision to bring Tenorio in much easier.

“Coach Tim is big on continuity and that has been the reason why we’ve had a small pool for Gilas ever since he took over,” said Dy.

JUST IN: The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has appointed LA Tenorio as the new head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth program. | 📷: SBP via @MeloFuertesINQ

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“Appointing Coach LA as head of our age group teams at the youth level strengthens that process. The goal is to complete the player journey from our grassroots to the elite level, and having a Youth coach who knows the system of coach Tim by heart will be beneficial for everyone involved,” she added.

Tenorio’s close ties to Cone and coach Norman Black, who heads Gilas’ grassroots program, is something to look forward to as Gilas hopes to take a step in the right direction.

“He has great relationships with coach Norman Black who heads our grassroots program and coach Tim Cone of the elite level and he’ll serve as the bridge between the two,” said SBP President Al Panlilio.

“He’s a natural leader and a winner on and off the court. He will teach our young athletes lessons they will use not only in basketball but in life as well,” he added.