Tenorio gets reality check

Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio had a rough first year in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50.

Under his watch, the Hotshots had promising chances in three conferences only to hit a dead end in the quarterfinals.

But the playing-coach sees a silver lining in Magnolia’s foiled attempts to go deeper as he picks up valuable lessons in his first foray at the reins, hoping to do better next season.

“My biggest learning is, probably, to make my team more prepared, maybe mentally, not just physically,” Tenorio said after Magnolia’s best-of-five quarterfinals exit.

The Hotshots were booted out by the fourth-seed defending champion TNT in a sweeping fashion as the No. 1 seed formally bowed 98-87 in Game 3 last Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Tenorio saw his team drop games against the Tropang 5G with an average losing margin of 17.0 points.

“Funny thing is, ironically, every game plan I threw at them, I was right. Everything happened as I predicted because I know the team, I know the coach, I know the players, I know our opponents,” Tenorio said.

“So, the thing now for me is how can I make my team, or each and every player, be ready mentally. Not only physically, but mentally ready in every game, especially in this kind of games in the quarterfinals.”

It was a shocking lopsided series, especially after Magnolia topped the elimination round with a 7-3 win-loss record in Group B.

The Hotshots actually won six straight games before the start of the playoffs.

“It’s a learning curve, a learning experience for us,” said Tenorio, who took over the Magnolia coaching job from Chito Victolero late last year.

In his maiden tournament, Tenorio steered the Hotshots to the Philippine Cup quarterfinals but fell short to twice-to-beat TNT.

Magnolia also made it to the quarters of the Commissioner’s Cup and forced twice-to-beat Meralco to a decider only to lose in overtime.

“Probably, mentally, I have to be better at making my players ready to play in this kind of stage. Although it’s gonna be hard because basically, my players are still young,” he said.

Tenorio took responsibility for Magnolia’s season as he vowed to bounce back.

“I’ll take full responsibility. As a coach, you really have to be accountable and responsible for these kinds of things,” he said.