By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Gilas Pilipinas men’s national basketball team has many reasons to be inspired heading to the 2023 Asian Games in China.
After the appointment of Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone to become the national team’s chief tactician in the Asian Games, a familiar face will be returning to the sport of basketball despite his battle with stage 3 colon cancer.
Welcome back, LA Tenorio!
It has been seven months since the decorated Filipino point guard revealed his battle with cancer, the main reason why he wasn’t able to suit up for the Gin Kings in the remaining games of the last PBA season.
Now that Tenorio is healing with the help of his therapy, the “GINeral” just accepted the job of being Gilas’ assistant coach under the helm of Cone.
Coach Cone revealed that Tenorio was excited after receiving the news and immediately graced every practice that the team has done for their build-up to the Asian Games.
Tenorio’s vast experience playing for the national team during his prime years will bring in a chunk of help, especially going up against the neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
The crafty floor general was a part of the national team when they toppled America during the 2012 William Jones Cup.
Entering the clash as the huge underdogs, it was Tenorio who exploded for the Philippines and hit the game-winning shot to help Gilas bag the 2012 Jones Cup championship title.
Aside from his heroics in the Jones Cup, Tenorio also suited up for several international tournaments representing the country.
Tenorio will also be working alongside Richard del Rosario, Jong Uichico, and Josh Reyes as the national team’s assistant coaching staff.
