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Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone had mixed emotions following the Gin Kings’ 80-73 defeat to Magnolia in the opening game of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I’m happy for LA, sad for myself,” Cone admitted after his team fell to his former floor general and now Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio, who earned his first coaching victory in his debut.

The much-anticipated matchup between mentor and student saw Tenorio’s Hotshots control the game from start to finish, using a strong start and steady composure to secure the win.

Cone, however, downplayed the “duel” narrative between him and Tenorio. “You guys are making a big deal out of it,” Cone said.  “We’re friends. It’s the same thing when I coached against Chot Reyes, Jeff Cariaso, Johnedel Cardel, or Luigi Trillo—they’re all my ex-players and coaches. It’s just part of the game.”

Despite the loss, Cone expressed pride in Tenorio’s successful coaching debut, showing that the lessons once learned under his mentorship can now be used to craft victories of their own.

Magnolia’s new era under rookie coach LA Tenorio began in golden fashion as the Hotshots opened their 2025 PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup campaign with an 80-73 victory over Barangay Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, spoiling Tenorio’s reunion with his former team and long-time mentor, Tim Cone.

Tenorio, who won seven titles with Ginebra as a player and playing-assistant, credited his players for stepping up in the emotionally charged Manila Clasico opener. 

"A good start for a new journey," said Tenorio, deflecting all the credit, though, to his players.

"It was really hard. Emotionally, I had to battle, and I really had to challenge my players that it's not about me and coach Tim; it's about the players of Magnolia and the players of Ginebra," Tenorio pointed out.

“I just want to thank the players and my staff. They were really ready for this game and wanted to give me this first win.”

"And I want to thank the players and the coaching staff, they wanted to guide me, knowing mahirap in this kind of atmosphere. The players were ready going to this game. I appreciated their effort and their focus," Tenorio added.

Zav Lucero led Magnolia with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals, and a block, while Jerom Lastimosa and Javi Gomez de Liano chipped in 14 points each. Rome dela Rosa added nine as the Hotshots unleashed a fiery 10-0 start and never looked back, maintaining control all game.

The Hotshots’ wire-to-wire win marked a promising start to Tenorio’s coaching journey—one that began by defeating the very team that helped shape his legacy.

The scores:

Magnolia 80 - Lucero 17, Lastimosa 14, Gomez de Liano 14, dela Rosa 12, Sangalang 9, Barroca 7, Laput 5, Dionisio 2, Lee 0, Verano 0, Alfaro 0, Escoto 0.

Ginebra 73 - Holt 16, Gray 13, Rosario 12, Abarrientos 11, Estil 9, J.Aguilar 5, Cu 3, Torres 2, David 2, Thompson 0.

Quarterscores: 23-14, 36-30, 61-48, 80-73

The PBA’s historic 50th season kicked off with major changes, as four teams debuted new head coaches during the 2025 Rookie Draft at the Mall of Asia Music Hall. 

LA Tenorio (Magnolia), Willy Wilson (Phoenix), Ronald Tubid (Terrafirma), and Dennis “Delta” Pineda (Converge) wasted no time putting their stamp on their squads, selecting from a deep pool of 122 applicants.

Tubid and Terrafirma picked Geo Chiu first overall, while Pineda and Converge took Juan Gomez de Liano at No. 2. 

On the other hand, Tenorio drafted Yukien Andrada (No. 6), and Wilson chose Will Gozum (No. 8) for Phoenix. 

Terrafirma and Converge each drafted ten players, with Magnolia and Phoenix also bolstering their lineups.

“Thankful sa opportunity. Ang daming puwedeng coaches na possible dito, pero tayo ang binigyan ng pagkakataon. So I think there’s a reason why,” Tenorio said. 

With new leadership and a strong rookie class, the PBA’s golden season promises exciting games and intrigue.

Just weeks after being appointed as head coach of the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, LA Tenorio is already making bold moves — the latest being the blockbuster Javi Gomez de Liano–Jerrick Ahanmisi trade.

In the deal approved by the PBA, Gomez de Liano will now don the Magnolia jersey after previous stints with Terrafirma, the Korean Basketball League, and the Strong Group Athletics in the Jones Cup. Meanwhile, the sweet-shooting Ahanmisi will suit up for the Dyip. The trade also includes Magnolia’s second-round pick, which now belongs to Terrafirma.

With the transaction complete, one question lingers: Who really won the trade?

On paper and in the eyes of many analysts and fans, Magnolia appears to have the edge. Gomez de Liano offers a more complete package: size, versatility, and a well-rounded skill set.

That said, Ahanmisi’s scoring potential should not be underestimated. He has the ability to heat up and take over a game when given the opportunity, a weapon that was not fully maximized under his former coach. With Terrafirma, he could rediscover that spark and become a major offensive threat.

It will be the best two words in sports for the San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel series, while TNT Tropang 5G kept their grand slam hopes alive after dismantling the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in six games on Sunday, July 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jordan Heading exploded for 29 points, to go along with three rebounds, four assists, and two steals to lead TNT in securing the pivotal win that put them back in the PBA Finals for the third straight conference this season and gave them a chance to claim the first-ever grand slam in franchise history.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser added 17 markers, five boards, two dimes, and three rejections to help the Tropang 5G clinch the ticket to the championship round.

Three more TNT players poured in double digits in the team’s victory. Glenn Khobuntin finished with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Kim Aurin and Calvin Oftana ended with 13 and 12, respectively.

"All we wanted was to give ourselves a chance. Our objective after a 0-3 start was just to get to the playoffs. We were not even thinking of getting a twice-to-beat advantage getting to the playoffs, and we figured whoever it is we need to beat—and if we need to beat them twice—then so be it," said TNT head coach Chot Reyes of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup journey.

"Number two, we came together... and that's what happened. Everyone chipped in, stepped up. Unfortunately, we got all those injuries, but it is what it is. But as you saw today, these guys—they don't know the meaning of quit," he added.

Many may be surprised to learn that Lewis Alfred Tenorio has been placed on Barangay Ginebra's unrestricted free agent list, with rights to salary. In his place, Jayson David has been reactivated to the Gin Kings' active roster.

This decision came just a day before Ginebra’s matchup with the NorthPort Batang Pier on Wednesday, April 30, at the Philsports Arena, following a tough 93-104 defeat to the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen.

Tenorio's playing time has been limited this season, particularly after Ginebra secured the services of RJ Abarrientos during the draft.

The four-time Finals MVP saw limited action during Ginebra’s recent Commissioner's Cup Finals series, where the team fell to TNT in a hard-fought best-of-seven series that even stretched into overtime.

Barangay Ginebra secured a 73-66 victory over TNT in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday night, March 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Scottie Thompson was named Best Player of the Game after delivering an all-around performance with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. His relentless hustle on both ends of the floor—something that doesn’t always show up in the stat sheets—was key to Ginebra’s success.

Justin Brownlee was also impressive. Despite dealing with a dislocated thumb and scoring only two points in the first half, the Gin Kings' import still managed to finish with 18 markers, 14 boards, five dimes, and one deflection.

Japeth Aguilar and Maverick Ahanmisi chipped in 11 points apiece to support Thompson and Brownlee, while Stephen Holt played a tremendous defensive role against Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Although Hollis-Jefferson managed to score 19 points, he struggled with efficiency, shooting just 7-of-26 from the field.