LA Tenorio takes over the reigns of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth program.
On Tuesday, November 19, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced the appointment of Tenorio as the new head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth Program.
The eight-time PBA champion fills in the void left by Coach Josh Reyes, who stepped down from the position last September.
"The SBP is excited to have a true sportsman and role model in LA Tenorio as our Gilas Pilipinas Youth head coach," SBP president Al Panlilio said in a statement.
Panlilio said that Tenorio will serve as a bridge between Philippine National Men's Basketball Team Head Coach Tim Cone, and Coach Norman Black who heads the grassroots program of the SBP.
"When we first talked to LA about the idea, he was open to the challenge immediately and he even had a short list of coaches that he wanted to work with," Panlilio said.
"He’s a natural leader and a winner on and off the court. He will teach our young athletes lessons they will use not only in basketball but in life as well," he added.
Prior to taking the helm of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth program, Tenorio served as an assistant coach for Cone during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where the Philippines won gold.
"Coach Tim is big on continuity and that has been the reason why we’ve had a small pool for Gilas ever since he took over," SBP Executive Director Erika Dy said.
"Appointing Coach LA as head of our age group teams in the youth level strengthens that process. The goal is to complete the player journey from our grassroots to the elite level, and having a Youth coach who knows the system of coach Tim by heart will be beneficial for everyone involved," she added.
