Romwel Anzures

Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson (left) and Magnolia Hotshots head coach LA Tenorio (right). Photos from PBA Images and Samang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753760142225IMG_7810.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson (left) and Magnolia Hotshots head coach LA Tenorio (right). Photos from PBA Images and Samang Basketbol ng Pilipinas."/>Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson (left) and Magnolia Hotshots head coach LA Tenorio (right). Photos from PBA Images and Samang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.MANILA — For the first time in his PBA career, Scottie Thompson will now be going up against LA Tenorio the next chance they meet.</div>Following Tenorio&#x27;s appointment as the newest head coach of the Magnolia Hotshots on Monday, Thompson will now look to outsmart his erstwhile long-time backcourt mate, unlike in the past wherein they helped bring Ginebra seven championships from 2016 to 2023.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/7/28/its-official-la-tenorio-is-new-head-coach-of-magnolia-hotshots-1901">READ: It&#x27;s official — LA Tenorio is new head coach of Magnolia Hotshots</a></div>“Actually, I was totally shocked nung narinig ko,” Thompson shared, talking about Tenorio’s move to Magnolia, on Monday after Gilas Pilipinas’ send-off game vs. the Macau Black Bears.“‘Di ko alam eh, kasi yung pag transition ko sa PBA, si Kuya LA yung nag guide sa akin,” he added.Entering the league a decade ago, it was Tenorio who helped mold Thompson into becoming a one-time PBA MVP, a two-time Finals MVP, and a two-time Best Player of the Conference awardee aside from his championships and other feats.But while Thompson expressed how surprised he was when he heard the news, the University of Perpetual Help product revealed that Tenorio already hinted about his Ginebra exit during their Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals clash with the San Miguel Beermen.“Nung mga last games namin, we saw it coming,” he said. “Kasi, mino-motivate niya kami na: ‘Sana makuha natin ‘to,’ na sana makapag Finals kami kasi we’ll never know kung hanggang kailan pa siya sa Ginebra.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/7/7/classic-legend-idol-thompson-details-play-that-led-to-tenorios-game-winner-1627">READ: &#x27;Classic, legend, idol&#x27; — Thompson details play that led to Tenorio’s game-winner</a></div>And while hindsight is always 20/20, Thompson still rues not gifting Tenorio what could have been the most fitting ending to his days as a Gin King.“Nitong mga huling laro, actually, sinasabi niya akin na sana mabigyan pa namin siya ng isang championship,” the Digos native lamented. “Sayang, ‘di namin naibigay yung magandang exit last conference.”Thompson also touched on both not having Tenorio on their bench, but also at the sidelines of their lifelong PBA rival squad that is Magnolia.“‘Di ko alam eh. For sure, ‘di kami sanay na nandoon siya sa kabila,” he said. “Pwede ba siyang maglaro? Mag coach sa Magnolia tapos maglaro sa Ginebra? Pwede ba yun?”Still, Thompson is happy to see his Kuya LA take on another challenge after being the main driver which ended Barangay Ginebra’s eight-year championship drought that spanned from 2008 to 2016.“Nakakalungkot, pero at the same time, masaya ako for him kasi another opportunity for him,” said the Digos native. “Ganun talaga yung buhay dito sa PBA, we just have to keep on moving forward. RELATED VIDEO: <script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz86TOfDIfqXIe&amp;cid=ABdIkwRWc-W89_KQ"></script>

For the first time in his PBA career, Scottie Thompson will now be going up against LA Tenorio the next chance they meet.

For the first time in his PBA career, Scottie Thompson will now be going up against LA Tenorio the next chance they meet.

Thompson rues not gifting Tenorio a championship exit with Ginebra — ‘Sayang’

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Thompson rues not gifting Tenorio a championship exit with Ginebra — ‘Sayang’

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 29, 2025 12:41 PM PHT

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Gilas Pilipinas

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Scottie Thompson

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