Change coming for Kings

Barangay Ginebra point guard LA Tenorio could glimpse at the end of his illustrious Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) career.

But he could not be happier as the 35-year old is seeing the Gin Kings in the good hands of the rising star Scottie Thompson.

“I and Mark (Caguioa) as leaders of this team, we only got a few years left in us,” Tenorio said yesterday as he admitted bracing for the inevitable passing of the torch to the third-year guard Thompson.

“When that happens of course, Scottie will really be the King in Ginebra. He has to accept that responsibility,” he said.

Thompson, only 25, cemented his claim as one of the next big things not only in the Ginebra franchise but in the entire league after his Finals Most Valuable Player win in the Gin Kings’ Commissioner’s Cup title conquest against previous titlist San Miguel last week.

He had witnessed the former collegiate Most Valuable Player Thompson’s rise from being the fifth overall pick in the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft.

“I’m not surprised that this early, he’s getting all these recognitions. He was an MVP in the NCAA for a reason.”

“Personally, I’m very happy for him as one of the veterans who took him under our wings since his rookie days. We’re glad that his hard work all these years are paying off.”

The changing of guards in Ginebra is looming, Tenorio admitted.

Before Thompson goes into that transition though, Tenorio hopes to groom the scrappy guard to a one last process, hoping to find consistency from the young gun to finally embrace the role of commanding Barangay Ginebra.

“I hope Scottie to be consistent from here on because he has a big responsibility on his shoulders starting now,” he said.

“It will be both a challenge and a motivation. But I’m just truly blessed and honored,” Thompson said. “I can only promise my dedication, hardwork and perseverance to reach those goals.”

Coming off a grueling Commissioner’s Cup Finals series, Tenorio and Thompson are still on a break before reporting back to duty next Wednesday for the defending back-to-back Governors’ Cup champion Ginebra.

The season-ending conference starts on 17 August but the Gin Kings will not play yet until 31 August against Columbian Dyip at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.