Si Barangay Ginebra veteran guard LA Tenorio ang bagong Gilas Pilipinas Youth coach.
Pinalitan niya si Josh Reyes matapos magpasya ang Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) i-retool ang national youth program.
“The SBP is excited to have a true sportsman and role model in LA Tenorio as our Gilas Pilipinas Youth head coach,” pahayag ni SBP president Al Panlilio.
“When we first talked to LA about the idea, he was open to the challenge immediately and he even had a short list of coaches that he wanted to work with. 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.”
Naging miyembro si Tenorio ng national team sa mahabang panahon. Kabilang siya sa 2012 Gilas Pilipinas team nanalo ng Jones Cup at nag-silver medal sa 2013 FIBA Asia Championship sa ilalim ni noo’y head coach Chot Reyes.
Kasama rin ang multi-titled guard sa powerhouse national team nag-compete sa 2014 FIBA World Cup sa Spain.
Ituloy at paunlarin pa ang basketball program ng national youth squad na sinimulan ni Gilas Pilipinas Men head coach Tim Cone, na siya rin coach niya sa Barangay Ginebra, ang trabaho ni Tenorio.
“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,” sabi ni SBP Executive Director Erika Dy.
“Appointing Coach LA as head of our age group teams in 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.”
Aminado naman si Tenorio nape-pressure siya ngunit itinuturing na welcome challenge ang bago niyang task.
“There’s a lot of pressure in the role because I’ll have big shoes to fill,” aniya. “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.”
Ayon pa kay Tenorio, “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.”
