Gabe Norwood On Gilas Youth Coach LA Tenorio: 'A Natural Transition'
Barangay Ginebra guard LA Tenorio has won first his championship as coach of Gilas Pilipinas Youth at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers Philippines 2025 held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga, on Friday, May 30.
Gilas Pilipinas Youth defeated Indonesia, 70 - 40, in a dominating performance for the gold. Top scorers Jhustin Hallare finished with 13 points while Gab Delos Reyes added 11 points for Gilas Youth.
LA Tenorio was proud of his team's performance against Indonesia, putting a lot of effort on the defensive end, which eventually led them to win the SEABA championship.
"I think we played a way, way better defensive game from when we first met them," Gilas Youth coach LA Tenorio said, “Now we’re more ready. I told the players, ‘wala tayong bagong gagawin kundi yung ginagawa natin nang last two months sa praktis natin — tama, maayos, mas aggressive, di tayo magkakaproblema."
"Personally, I’m happy, but I’m happier for the players. Para sa kanila ‘to," Tenorio added.
Gabe Norwood, one of Gilas Pilipinas Youth's coaching staff, wasn't surprised by Tenorio's success from the UAAP, PBA, and now, as national team coach.
"I mean, it looks like a natural transition. You know, he’s [LA Tenorio] been a leader all the way, across the board," the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters forward said. "From ever since I’ve known him, you know, since his debut here in the PBA, before it was Ateneo and everything, but he’s really attacking it aggressively like he does everything, right?"
"Whether it’s, you know, his own personal story. We all know what he’s overcome in these last couple of years. He’s just focused, really has a game plan in mind, and we’re doing our best as a coaching staff to support him," Norwood added.
LA Tenorio says Gabe Norwood is a big factor in his coaching staff
After being named the new Gilas Pilipinas Youth head coach a few months ago, LA Tenorio didn't waste time forming his coaching staff. Tenorio didn't have to look far to add Richard Del Rosario, one of Barangay Ginebra's assistant coaches, and Gabe Norwood of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
For Tenorio, Norwood's wealth of experience and knowledge in the game is a big factor in his coaching staff.
"Well, he’s [Gabe Norwood] a big factor dito sa coaching staff ko, kaya siya yung kinuha ko. Kasi, with our, actually kung nandito si coach Jimmy [Alapag], we’ll be together – three. But you know, the leadership that Gabe [Norwood] had during our national team stint and our experience, I think malaking bagay na malaman din ng mga bata kung gaano kahirap ang sakripisyo na kailangang gawin for the national team," Tenorio said. "Gabe is one of the players na makakapagbigay ng words sa mga bata regarding that because Gabe has been part of the national team when he started playing here in the Philippines."