LA Tenorio opens up on new gig as Letran assistant coach

MANILA, Philippines – LA Tenorio isn’t ready to hang up his PBA sneakers, but the longtime Barangay Ginebra point guard is already dabbling into coaching.

Tenorio has joined the coaching staff of Bonnie Tan with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, where his baptism of fire was first in the Got Skills and then the City Hoops tournaments. Now, he is noticeable on the sidelines for Letran in the ongoing Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup where the Knights defeated Jose Rizal University, 78-67.

Tenorio, who played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in college and the San Beda Red Cubs in high school, said it was an easy decision to join the Letran coaching staff. 

“Boss Al (Chua) asked me if I would like to help out Coach Bonnie and hindi na ako nagdalawang isip,” revealed Tenorio. 

Is he preparing for the future?

“Maybe,” laughed Tenorio. “I’m still playing and I think I have a few years left in me.” 

The veteran guard has been in the professional ranks for 13 years now.

“Some people might think it weird pero hindi naman requirement ngayon na kung saan ka nagaral doon ka dapat mag-coach,” added Tenorio, who in the same vein admitted that he is enjoying the experience and working with the Knights.

The diminutive point guard, who also played for Gilas Pilipinas during its famed 2013 FIBA Asia and 2014 FIBA World Cup campaigns, admitted the transition isn’t easy. 

“Now I understand better why coaches say this, do this, and plan for this,” he admitted with this sheepish smile. “You look at the game differently as a player and as a coach. You prepare for it differently as well. I understand that part but it is really different from the perspective of a coach. So, yes, I now get all the coaches I played for.”

Tenorio is working with guards Fran Yu, Tommy Olivario and Kurt Reyson as Letran rebuilds from the loss of Bong Quinto, JP Calvo and Christian Fajarito. The Knights looked good heading into last year’s Final Four run, but they suffered a power failure against Lyceum of the Philippines and subsequently bowed out. 

“Coaching requires a different mindset,” summed up Tenorio. “You need to really be more open minded and patient because you are teaching young players. Hindi lahat pareho skill and talent level. Kahit sa game intelligence iba iba. So iniisip ko yung time when I started playing (first for Don Bosco then Adamson after which he transferred to San Beda and then Ateneo). Ibang challenge. Pero yung fulfillment ang sarap din.”