ALLAN THE MAN

Barangay Ginebra's star point guard LA Tenorio believes it's high time the Gin Kings repaid their management with success after a busy off-season that saw them snag the services of multi-titled head coach Tim Cone from the Purefoods franchise. ( READ: LA Tenorio skips Gilas Pilipinas for Barangay Ginebra )

Ginebra, while still the most popular team in the PBA, has not won a championship in seven years and has gone through an array coaches in recent years, including Ato Agustin, Jeffrey Cariaso, and Frankie Lim.

"It's time to repay what the management gave us," Tenorio said after the Nike Rise Legacy Night last Saturday in Mandaluyong City. "Getting Coach Tim is not easy. Coach Tim was not easy to get from Purefoods."

"But management did it for us, so I think it's time for us to repay kung ano binigay ng management," he stressed.

Tenorio noted that their sister teams, San Miguel and Purefoods, have won their share of championships in the past years. San Miguel won two of the three conferences in the 2014-2015 season, while Purefoods – while helmed by Cone – won four consecutive titles, including a Grand Slam.

"Nakarami na 'yung Purefoods, nakarami na 'yung San Miguel," said Tenorio. "Sana kami naman."

Tenorio acknowledged that it won't be an easy task, however, as the Gin Kings will still have to adjust to Cone's famed triangle offense.

"The good thing is mahaba ang preparation namin before the opening. Of course, sabi nga ni Coach Tim, we're gonna be quick in learning the triangle, but we're not gonna hurry," Tenorio said.

"'Yan naman ang factor sa triangle," added Tenorio, who will be having a reunion of sorts with Cone, having played for him in Alaska. "Hindi naman kailangan madaliin 'yan. It's a process. It's a long term process with the triangle."

Tenorio is confident that Cone, whom he called a "born teacher," will do well in instructing the Ginebra players on how to play the triangle "the right way." He also hopes that his teammates will be quick to develop the discipline that Cone demands from his team.

"Number 1 is discipline and defense," Tenorio said. "Discipline comes with defense and offense. Sa kanya, No. 1 talaga ang discipline. So I hope madala niya sa Ginebra 'yun, 'yung character na 'yun, and at the same time, sana ma-adapt ng mga players."

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