Manila Clasico bittersweet with LA facing former teammates

MANILA, Philippines —  Manila Clasico will never be the same, especially for Barangay Ginebra players who will now face LA Tenorio as the new head coach for archnemesis Magnolia starting in PBA Season 50 in October.

From teammates to rivals, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos and Justin Brownlee look forward to a bittersweet moment when they share the court with “Kuya” LA albeit from different ends in an unbelievable whirlwind of PBA order.

Tenorio, originally from San Miguel and Alaska as the No. 4 pick in the 2006 draft, has been with Ginebra as its leader since 2012 before being named by SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua on Monday as the new mentor in Magnolia in lieu of its long-time coach Chito Victolero.

And that has not sunk in yet to any Gin King, including resident import and Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Brownlee, who looks up to Tenorio as his second coach next to Tim Cone since his arrival in the PBA in 2016.

“I can’t believe it, man. But to be honest, in my nine years in the Philippines playing for Ginebra, I feel like LA has been my second coach on the floor,” said Brownlee, who’s been with the Gin Kings since 2016.

“His moniker is ‘The General’ for a reason and I wish him nothing but the best. It’s like a bittersweet feeling. 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.”

Tenorio and Brownlee have won six championships together in almost a decade but he and Aguilar have been playing together longer for almost 20 years, making it a tough transition for the latter.

“Di ko ma-imagine ‘yung ganun na makikita ko sya sa kabilang side. Hindi ako makakapaniwala,” said Aguilar, who has also been with Tenorio since Ateneo and their Gilas days.