By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rookie PBA coaches LA Tenorio of Magnolia and Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda of Converge may have ended the 2025 with their respective teams suffering early exits in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup but they are taking all the valuable lessons to the new year following their first conferences as the head tactician.
The Hotshots failed to overcome a twice-to-win disadvantage against the TNT Tropang 5G in the quarterfinals while the FiberXers couldn’t get their semis breakthrough after back-to-back losses to the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
But all the lessons on these experiences no doubt would only contribute to the growth of their respective teams.
“That kind of situation na sinabi ko sa mga bata hindi lahat ng mga players, hindi lahat ng team, dadalhin tayo doon sa ganyan klaseng game and this experience na binigay ng Ginebra,” said Pineda after the heartbreaking 99-98 loss to the Kings in Game 2.
“Ito dapat maging matured tayo, yung decision-making, relax yung this kind of situation, focus tayo dapat, malaking bagay na po experience ng mga bata yung this kind of situation,” he added.
It looked like already a won game for Converge but crucial errors and fouls came haunting it in the end, leaving the window open for Stephen Holt game-winner.
Tenorio, on the other hand, admitted that he was completely outcoached by his former national team mentor Chot Reyes although he was glad to pick up some brains from the veteran bench tactician.
“A lot of things to really learn pa especially with this team. Obviously we were outplayed and outcoached by TNT. Sinabi ko sa kanila if we want to be the best team in the PBA we have to beat the best teams, the playoff teams,” stressed Tenorio.
“They still have a lot of things to learn but lalo na rin ako. Sbi ko nga kay coach Chot kanina ang dami kong natutunan not only today’s game but also this conference,” he added following a 118-109 defeat to TNT.
“I will get better also but I have to take a look at myself in the mirror also tama ba yung sinasabi ko, at the end the coach will always take the full responsibility and the players will give their best.”
