Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Together again.
Tim Cone will now be calling the shots for Barangay Ginebra, and LA Tenorio is ecstatic that he will be reunited with his former coach.
The Ginebra star played for Alaska from 2008-2012 and excelled under Cone’s tutelage. In 2010, Tenorio won the Most Improved Player plum and, in the Fiesta Conference, led the Aces to a championship — the franchise’s 12th. He was named co-Finals MVP with Cyrus Baguio.
Related: Cone unveiled as Ginebra coach
Now that Cone is with Ginebra, Tenorio is thrilled that his teammates will now get the opportunity to learn from one of the league’s best coaches.
“I’m excited to reunite with coach Tim, but more so I’m excited for my teammates, ma-experience nila yung winningest coach in the PBA now,” Tenorio said in an interview on CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk on Thursday (July 23).
“Iba talaga si coach Tim, I always explain to them, sinasabi ko sa kanila that coach Tim is different.”
But how will his reunion with Cone help Ginebra regain glory?
Well, for one, Tenorio will have to assist his current teammates in learning Cone’s “triangle” system.
“Obviously it’s not an easy offense to learn. It will take years para matutunan itong triangle na ‘to. I was with Alaska under coach Tim for so many years pero I think it took me 2-3 years before I mastered the offense,” Tenorio, a one-time Best Player of the Conference awardee, said.
“‘Di naman talaga kailangan i-master yung offense e… just understand the offense. ‘Yun lang masasabi ko sa mga teammates. It’s hard to memorize, maraming options ang triangle. Kailangan players have to buy into the system, isapuso nila yung sistema para maging effective.”
Related: Cone motivated to follow Jaworksi’s legacy
Though Cone is a multi-titled coach, Tenorio isn’t expecting a championship for Ginebra anytime soon.
“Based on experience, every time napapasok si coach Tim sa isang team nananalo agad pero I don’t want to expect agad na mag-champion kami,” added Tenorio.
