LA Tenorio has gone full circle following his appointment as assistant coach of the Gilas Pilipinas squad that will see action in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Gilas head coach Tim Cone said Tenorio's presence will be a major boost as he is a natural leader so it is only fitting that he selects him as one of his assistant coaches together with his longtime Ginebra deputy in Richard del Rosario, Gilas assistant Jong Uichico, and Gilas Youth head coach Josh Reyes.

Tenorio is a seasoned international campaigner.

He served as the hero of the William Jones Cup in 2012 before being part of the Gilas squad that emerged with a silver medal in the 2013 FIBA Asia Men's Championship. He also played in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2014 as well as the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.

Now, he is back in international action, this time as part of Cone's high-caliber coaching staff.

"Even when he's not playing, LA was more of a floor leader and a coach inside the basketball court," said Cone, who won eight PBA titles with Tenorio calling the plays.

Coaching is nothing new to the 38-year-old court general.

In fact, he is part of the coaching staff of Boni Tan in the Letran College squad that won three straight titles in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Aside from providing leadership and stability from the bench, having Tenorio as assistant coach will also allow him to share his wisdom to the Philippine Basketball Association-backed Gilas, especially the younger players like Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Scottie Thompson and naturalized player Ange Kouame.

Rounding out the squad that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas submitted to the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee are Kiefer Ravena, Roger Pogoy, June Mar Fajardo, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who is doubtful to suit up due to injury.

"Just his wisdom and experience will be enough to help out the young guys," Cone said.