Tenorio owes up to Hotshots’ quarters exit, admits getting ‘outcoached’

Magnolia’s LA Tenorio (5)

(PBA Images)

MANILA, Philippines — Following a quarterfinal exit from the PBA Philippine Cup, Magnolia Hotshots playing coach LA Tenorio took full responsibility with how their conference turned out.

The Hotshots, led by their new coach Tenorio, started the All-Filipino conference strong, going up to a 4-1 record.

But they finished the eliminations losing four of their six contests, which led them to a twice-to-win disadvantage against the TNT Tropang 5G.

And on Saturday, TNT simply outgunned the young Magnolia squad, 118-109.

After the game, Tenorio aid that he was “outcoached” by TNT mentor Chot Reyes.

“A lot of things to learn, especially with this team. Obviously we were outplayed, outcoached by TNT I remember I told them, sinabi ko sa kanila that we really have to expect that TNT will really come out really strong going into this game. And they did,” he said.

“Ganun talaga eh. Sinabi ko sa kanila na if we want to be one of the best teams here in the PBA, we have to beat the best team. And for us to do that, we have to beat TNT. We have to beat the best team, a playoff team,” he added.

He said that the defeat gave them a lot of things to ponder on.

“Sabi ko nga kay Coach Chot kanina, dami ako na natutunan. Not only in today's game, but in this conference. So I will get better also, but I have to take a look at myself in the mirror also. Tama ba yung pinapagawa ko sa mga bata? Tama ba yung mga sinasabi ko? In the end, the coach will always take the full responsibility,” he said.

“The players will give their best. Definitely. But again, in the end, coach naman yan eh. Nasa sa coach yan. So I take full responsibility for this conference, and I told them, I will make sure that we will get back stronger next conference.”

Tenorio said that the important thing to do now is to look into what the team could improve on from this conference.

“A lot of positives that can be taken away from this conference. Hopefully when we get back, we'll get back stronger. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, we don't have any choice. We have to get back stronger. Wala tayo yung choice. If we don't, then might as well not join the PBA anymore next conference,” he said.

He stressed that the pieces he has has the potential to go far, but they will still need to gel.

“[We have to] make this be a big lesson for us. Sinabi ko na sa kanila mga kailangang sabihin. Pero still, ganun pa rin na nangyari. But this team has a big potential. I can see. We just have to pull in together,” he said.

Aside from injuries to Jerom Lastimosa and Paul Lee, which led to Tenorio being activated as a player, the team had Yukien Andrada earlier this week. Rookie Chris Koon also arrived in the team in the middle of the conference via a trade.

”There's a lot of things that we need to build together. We need it together, we cannot put in players na this day or this week. Hindi na eh. I want to build this team with this composition,” he said.

“Kung nakikita niyo naman, nakikita niyo naman yung potential din naman. Obvious naman yung potential ng team namin. So, we will build from here.”

Following Magnolia'e exit, TNT is now waiting in the semifinals and will take on either Rain or Shine or Meralco.