LA Tenorio was appointed head coach of Gilas Pilipinas Youth. Photo from Samahang Basketbol ng PilipinasMANILA, Philippines – Veteran point guard LA Tenorio was appointed as the new head coach of Gilas Pilipinas Youth, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced Tuesday.

Tenorio, 40, will bring valuable experience as the eight-time PBA champion takes over the program, succeeding former mentor Josh Reyes.

READ: Josh Reyes steps down as Gilas Youth coach

For the newly appointed youth mentor, he will embrace "a lot of pressure" as he accepted the role following Reyes' exit.

“There’s a lot of pressure in the role because I’ll have big shoes to fill,” he said.

“What coach Josh Reyes accomplished by making it to two World Cups is not an easy feat but I’m excited to work with our young players and help them reach their full potential. I already talked to coach Tim and I’ll be running a similar system so our Youth players can easily transition to the Men’s team.”

Reflecting on Tenorio's appointment, SBP President Al Panlilio said Gilas Youth will have a role model in him.

“The SBP is excited to have a true sportsman and role model in LA Tenorio as our Gilas Pilipinas Youth head coach,” said SBP President Al Panlilio.

Panlilio also revealed that Tenorio did not hesitate to take on the challenge and even had a names of coaches who will support him.

"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," he 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," the SBP executive added.

Tenorio is also a four-time PBA Finals MVP, two-time Best Player of the Conference, 10-time PBA All-Star, and named PBA Comeback Player of the Year 2024, and was playing since he was in sixth grade.

He was chosen fourth overall in the 2006 PBA Draft and won his breakthrough title in 2010 with then-Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The Ginebra stalwart was also a member of the national team for more than ten years, being part of the 2012 Gilas Pilipinas squad that won the Jones Cup and took home the silver in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

He also played for Gilas in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.