Coach L.A.

In the grand soap opera that is the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), we’ve seen everything. We’ve seen a player flashing a nasty gesture at his opponent’s girlfriend, a coach delivering a litany of curses at his player on national TV, and even an entire team staging a walkout while fans pelted the court with coins like manna from heaven.

But the latest episode is equally amusing. Barangay Ginebra’s court general, LA Tenorio, surprisingly defected to the enemy camp as he took the coaching reins of Magnolia, a plot twist that will make even the most imaginative telenovela scriptwriter blush.

Tenorio embodies Ginebra’s never-say-die spirit. At 5-foot-8, he is just as tall as an ordinary Filipino, making it easy for them to relate and dream that they can also lead the country’s most popular team. He made a living not just through his sheer talent but through resilience and hard work, which was further highlighted when he played a record 744 consecutive games.

That record, however, was snapped when he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. But like the warrior that he is, Tenorio licked the “Big C” and buckled back down to business, even draining the game-winner in Game 6 of their best-of-seven Philippine Cup semifinal series against San Miguel Beer last month.

Simply put, Tenorio is the ultimate Ginebra guy. He deserves a spot on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore next to the gritty, often criticized as brash, group of Chito Loyzaga, Rudy Distrito, Marlou Aquino, Noli Locsin and Bal David, with the great Sonny Jaworski having the biggest bust.

Standing on the opposing end were the “pretty boys” of Magnolia. Although the Hotshots had gone through a lot of names in the past, their trademark of good looks and clean-cut image from Alvin Patrimonio to Jerry Codiñera, Jojo Lastimosa, James Yap and Marc Pingris up to Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang, remains forever. This rivalry, known as the “Manila Clasico,” is considered one of the fiercest in professional basketball. Black versus White. Worktime versus Showtime.

That’s why seeing the beloved Tenorio crossing the enemy line is heartbreaking for the Ginebra faithful. For them, seeing their hero defect — and even lead — the opposing camp is a sacrilege akin to a guy who walked away from a 20-year relationship to be with a prettier, richer girlfriend.

But wait, it’s not just about basketball. It’s about life — real life.

Tenorio’s appointment as head coach is a golden opportunity for him to preach the value of hard work, discipline and that special ability to rise when great odds are stacked against him.

Remember, he is no ordinary basketball player. Among all the scripts written in the PBA, Tenorio’s story is the most heartwarming: an ordinary boy from Batangas who rose to become one of the league’s greatest players after surviving an avalanche of adversities — including the dreaded cancer.

Having Tenorio take the coaching reins is truly a blessing. He will not just call the shots from the sidelines, but will map out plays and strategies even in real life. He will be there not just to push the players to tighten up their defense or execute a pick-and-roll to perfection, but to serve as an inspiration, a guiding light whenever they find themselves lost in the darkness of life.

The Hotshots are lucky to have him.