TNT Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes knows better than anyone about the big-game gravitas of LA Tenorio. After all, Tinyente helped him win more than a few games during their years with Gilas Pilipinas.
So, forgive Reyes if he remains wary of Tenorio the player, even as the league’s Iron Man is already 41 years old. In particular, Reyes was wary of the morale and energy boost Tinyente could give the Magnolia Hotshots the moment he takes the floor with the team he happens to be coaching as well.
And that is why one of Reyes’s final reminders to his own Tropa when they took on Magnolia on Sunday was not to let some LA Tenorio magic affect their game.
TNT Prepared for Tenorio
Indeed, Reyes admitted that he and his team were fully prepared for Tenorio assuming the dual role of player and coach in the TNT–Magnolia clash, given the latter’s injury problems at point guard. That preparation paid off, as the Tropa got off to a rousing start and ultimately pulled out the 93–84 victory—all while keeping Tenorio largely a non-factor.
“We knew that there was a big possibility that LA was going to suit up,” Reyes acknowledged postgame. “So, when it did happen, when we found out yesterday, we were not at all surprised. And I knew that he was going to start to give them a big boost of energy at the start, and the last instruction to my players was, ‘Don’t let that affect our energy.’”
Tenorio, Hotshots Have Chance for Payback
It turns out Tenorio’s playing-coach stint might not be a one-off—at least not for now—as Jerom Lastimosa and Paul Lee are still likely to be sidelined when Magnolia and TNT go at it again on Saturday, this time in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, with the Tropa needing just one win to boot out Magnolia.
It will be a chance for payback for Tenorio and Magnolia, and best believe that Tinyente will be ready for the moment. After all, he has made a living coming up clutch in big games, whether in the PBA or internationally.
Then again, better believe TNT and Reyes will be ready—as they were on Sunday.
