Magnolia gives LA Tenorio a rousing debut at expense of Ginebra

October 6 ------ MAGNOLIA gifted LA Tenorio with a win in his first game as PBA head coach, beating his old team Barangay Ginebra, 80-73, on Sunday in the opening game of the league's 50th Season Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots opened the season on fire by scoring the first 10 points of the game behind Zavier Lucero and new recruit Javi Gomez de Liaño, and not once backed down each time the Kings tried to fight back. The strong Philippine Cup start by the Hotshots was equal parts relief and joy for Tenorio, who played for 13 years with the Gin Kings before moving to their biggest rival to become the team's playing coach.

He coached against his mentor Tim Cone in his PBA coaching debut, but insisted the game wasn't about them. “It was really hard. Emotionally, I have to battle and challenge my mind that it’s not about me and coach Tim. It’s about the players of Magnolia and the players against Ginebra," said Tenorio. "I just want to thank the players and my coaching staff. I really want to give credit this game. They really guided me dahil alam nila na mahirap especially with this kind of atmosphere,” said Tenorio.

Lucero finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one block while Jerom Lastimosa and Gomez de Liaño chipped in 14 apiece for Magnolia, which led by as many as 15 points, 63-48, to open the fourth quarter.

Stephen Holt had 16 points, 17 rebounds, and four assists, and Jeremiah Gray had 13 points as the Gin Kings began life without Tenorio and Japan B.League transferee Jamie Malonzo on a worrying note. Scottie Thompson was held scoreless to open the season, going 0-of-5 although he hauled down five rebounds. The Gin Kings cut the deficit to six points, 65-59, but Lucero, Lastimosa, and Barroca combined in a 7-0 run that put out the threat.

The scores:

Magnolia 80 – Lucero 17, Gomez de Liaño 14, Lastimosa 14, Dela Rosa 12, Sangalang 9, Barroca 7, Laput 5, Dionisio 2, Alfaro 0, Escoto 0, Lee 0, Verano 0.

Barangay Ginebra 73 – Holt 16, Gray 13, Rosario 12, Abarrientos 11, Estil 9, J. Aguilar 5, Cu 3, David 2, Torres 2, Thompson 0.

Quarters: 23-14; 36-30; 61-48; 80-73.

Source: spin.ph