Brownlee, Thompson shocked by LA Tenorio's move to Magnolia
His sudden move to take over as Magnolia head coach surprised not only the fans, but also longtime teammates like Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson.
The trio played together — and won multiple titles — for several PBA seasons, a stretch that also saw them at the heart of the iconic Manila Clasico rivalry between Ginebra and Magnolia.
But next season, they will find themselves on opposite sides of the court with Tenorio now the lead shot-caller for the Hotshots.
"Actually, I was totally shocked nung narinig ko. 'Di ko alam eh, kasi 'yung pag transition ko sa PBA, si Kuya LA 'yung nag guide sa akin," Thompson, who had been teammates with Tenorio ever since he was drafted back in 2015, said.
"For sure, 'di kami sanay na nandoon siya sa kabila. But gano'n talaga 'yung buhay dito sa PBA, we just have to keep on moving forward."
Resident Ginebra import Justin Brownlee was also stunned, admitting he was surprised to learn that Tenorio, whom he considered a 'second coach' on the court, was taking over for their biggest rival.
"I just heard that and I can't believe that, man. But man, like what I told earlier when I was told of the news, to be honest, my nine years in the Philippines playing for Ginebra, I feel like LA has been my second coach on the floor with obviously, Tim (Cone) and the coaching staff," Brownlee said.
"Obviously, Magnolia is Ginebra's biggest rival and yeah, I can't wait to see what Manila Clasico is gonna be like, especially with LA now on the other side."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
15 hours ago
- GMA Network
Gilas Pilipinas holds first practice in Jeddah ahead of FIBA Asia Cup
Gilas Pilipinas held its first practice in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Friday shared photos of the national team's training session. The practice came just hours after landing in Saudi Arabia. According to a report from the PBA website, the team is adjusting to the presence of June Mar Fajardo who recently rejoined the squad after a grueling PBA finals series against Gilas teammate Calvin Oftana and the TNT Tropang 5G. "I'd like to get some practice time with June Mar. It's really important that we have to adjust to his presence," head coach Tim Cone said. Oftana, meanwhile, has been given the go signal to play after being uncertain due to injuries he sustained from the recently concluded PBA Philippine Cup. Gilas will commence its campaign on August 6 against Chinese Taipei. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Norman Black to handle Gilas Pilipinas in 2025 SEA Games
Norman Black has been tapped to handle Gilas Pilipinas for the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The PBA website confirmed the development on Thursday. According to the update, the league's Board of Governors also approved a limited number of players to play in the biennial meet with the 50th season ongoing by then in December. Black steered the national team to gold in the 2011 SEA Games and was an assistant coach for Team Philippines in the 1990 Asian Games. The PBA, meanwhile, will hold some of its games in Bahrain in December. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
Justin Brownlee relieved to return to Gilas duty after injury, suspension scare
Justin Brownlee expressed relief following a turbulent stretch marred by injury recovery and a suspension scare as he is now all cleared to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup next week. Brownlee formally returned to national team duty on Monday, powering the squad to a 103-98 comeback win over the Macau Black Bears in a friendly affair. The naturalized forward dropped 32 points on 5-of-7 from downtown and grabbed 15 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block. His explosive outing marked his return in nearly five months. The resident import hurt his thumb during Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals against TNT last March but played through it as the Gin Kings fell to eventual champions Tropang 5G. Shortly after the series, Brownlee received an 'adverse analytical finding' in relation to a doping test, his second after another incident back in October 2023 following the Gilas' historic title run in the Asian Games. Eventually, the 37-year-old Brownlee was not given any kind of suspension and affirmed that he is 100 percent ready, health-wise, to rejoin Gilas Pilipinas. "It feels good, just a little stiffness. I feel 100 percent healthy," Brownlee said. "It just feels good to be back with the team. I'm glad everything worked out with the situation. Yeah, it's definitely good to be back and moving forward, we're really focused." With Brownlee back, Gilas hopes to create another historic moment in the Asia Cup similar to what they accomplished in the Asian Games, where they ended a 61-year gold medal drought. The last time the national team ruled the Asia Cup was in 1985 and the nearest it got to a gold was a pair of silver medal finishes in 2013 and 2015. In the 2022 edition, Gilas bowed to Japan in the playoffs with a dismal 102-81 loss that formally ended the country's podium hopes. "Now, I think we kind of have put Asia on notice as far as saying that we're here and we really want to be able to compete,' Brownlee said. "The Philippines is growing and I think, it's got to a point where, like coach Tim said earlier, we want to be able to dominate Asian basketball. I think with the team we have.I think that's very possible to do.' —JKC, GMA Integrated News
