Cone expects Tenorio to join Gilas after Singapore checkup

MANILA, Philippines — Tim Cone expects Barangay Ginebra assistant playing coach LA Tenorio to lend his vast basketball experience and knowledge of the game with Gilas Pilipinas once he returns from his scheduled checkup in Singapore.

The American mentor said the 40-year-old Tenorio is currently in Singapore as part of his semi-annual checkup.

"He has some health related things he has to do during the window. He's gonna be missing a couple of days 'cause he has to go back to Singapore for a coupe of checkups," said Cone.

Cone doesn't expect Tenorio to make it to the Gilas' training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, where the national squad is currently in day 3 of its preparations for the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

A little over a year ago, Tenorio successfully overcame stage 3 colon cancer and was able to make a successful PBA comeback during the tailend of 2023.

Cone has coached Tenorio since their time with Alaska over a decade ago, with their partnership producing eight PBA championships.

Tenorio is actually no stranger anymore to the national team, having been part of a Gilas squad that won the 2012 William Jones Cup, silver medal in the 2013 FIBA Asia men's championship in Manila, a bronze in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China as well as a gold medal in the 2019 Southeast Asia Games, which the country hosted.

Tenorio was also part of the Gilas team that played in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain, marking the country's return to the world stage after a 36-year absence.

Gilas faces New Zealand on November 21, before clashing with Hong Kong on November 24 at the Mall of Asia Arena.