"He knows our system better than everybody."
There was a very welcome presence on the first day of Gilas Pilipinas' training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
LA Tenorio, who made his PBA comeback last December after overcoming his battle with stage three colon cancer, was wearing a player's jersey during scrimmage on Wednesday.
[ALSO READ: Don't call it a comeback: LA Tenorio gets honest with role when he returns for Ginebra]
"He's helping us both as a player and as a coach, mentoring the players and modeling the players," Tim Cone told Cignal TV.
"He knows our system better than everybody, probably even better than myself. He can coach, he can model it, that makes him very, very valuable."
Tenorio has been a veteran presence for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel under Cone, and that has made him an important member of Gilas Pilipinas as an assistant coach during the 19th Asian Games.
They will only have him for two days though, since Tenorio will head back to Singapore for a checkup. So Cone is making the most of him.
"Man, LA, he's always giving positive energy. If you wanna learn the game, you just watch him. He don't even have to stay a word," returning naturalized player Justin Brownlee told Cignal TV in a separate interview.
Of course JB knows, he's been playing for a few years now with Tenorio and Cone as part of Ginebra.
"When a guy like that talks, you listen," he said, taking cue of how Tenorio overcame cancer. "He's definitely an inspiration. Always great to see LA and happy to see him around."
Tinyente notes it's easier to teach Cone's system with former Gilas captain Japeth Aguilar, along with Ginebra rookies Don Gumaru and Ralph Cu providing assistance.
"I can help more with my presence inside the court para mas madali mapakita sa players, especially sa young players na first time makita 'yung system ni coach Tim," Tenorio explained.
He's just grateful for the trust.
Gilas Pilipinas will take on Hong Kong on February 22, before hosting Chinese Taipei at PhilSports Arena on February 25.
These will air on One Sports, One Sports+, RPTV, and the Pilipinas Live app.
[ALSO READ: FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers: Gilas Pilipinas viewing guide]
(With reports from Cignal TV)