The Manila Clasico, one of the PBA’s most celebrated rivalries, will open the league’s golden season this weekend.
The Magnolia Hotshots and the Barangay Ginebra will clash in the curtain raiser of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Sunday, October 5.
The much-awaited clash will take place at 7:30 p.m., after the opening ceremony at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Kahit ano namang teams pwede ilagay sa opening ng 50th. Naisip lang namin ‘yun, lagyan natin ng konting drama. Tim Cone versus LA Tenorio,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial explained the reason behind the opening game.
“Doon lang kami nanggagaling. Pero kahit sinong team ilagay mo, siguradong papasukin ‘yun kasi 50th season natin,” he said.
Eight-time PBA champion LA Tenorio will be making his head coaching debut for Magnolia against his former team Ginebra.
Tenorio is on the injury/reserve list of the Hotshots, leaving the possibility open for him to be a playing coach.
The former Gin King did not close his doors, but he said it would be a tough decision.
Magnolia team governor Jason Webb shared how they decided to list Tenorio as head coach, while keeping him on the injury/reserve list.
“LA actually has a live contract. He has a live contract with Barangay Ginebra at the end of the year. So he still has, if I’m not mistaken, an entire year as a player. Mahirap naman kung coach namin siya tapos player siya ng Ginebra. Mahirapan kami nun,” Webb said.
“After he became a free agent, then any team had an opportunity to acquire LA. When the time had lapsed, no one picked him up. We were able to pick him up,” he said.
If the time comes that Tenorio does suit up for Magnolia, Webb believes it will be a big advantage for the team. But at the end of the day, the decision is up to Tenorio.
Last week, Tenorio said he joined team practice before heading to PBA Media Day.
TNT players Mark Barroca and Xavier Lucero believe Tenorio still has it, especially after seeing him play again, even just in training.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone earlier said he is curious to see what his former player will do as Magnolia’s bench tactician.
Tenorio said he’s still embracing and enjoying the new role, while teaching his players the system he wants to run.
The former PBA champion said he cannot promise instant success for Magnolia, but he hopes to bring the winning culture to the team. (ABS-CBN News)