House Speaker Martin Romualdez hailed Barangay Ginebra star and Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend LA Tenorio for steering the Gilas Pilipinas Youth team to a gold medal at the FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) qualifiers.
Tenorio, 40, was the head coach of national youth team that finished the Indonesia tournament undefeated.
Romualdez credited the leadership of Tenorio--who made his international coaching debut in the tournament--for molding the young squad into a cohesive, competitive unit.
“This is how we build a winning culture — through structure, accountability, and hard work,” said the leader of the 306-member House of Representatives.
Tenorio, a point guard from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), is an eight-time PBA champion. He holds the record in the league for most consecutive games played, at 744.
As for Gilas Pilipinas Youth, Romualdez called them “disciplined, fearless and deserving champions.”
“This team showed what it means to compete with purpose. They executed with focus, played with composure, and earned every bit of that gold medal,” said the Leyte 1st district congressman.
The team's victories included the viral 101--37 drubbing of Singapore wherein Gilas players were taunted early on. But they kept their composure and displayed their overwhelming talent.
The Speaker also acknowledged the support provided by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), and noted that sustained investment in player development has begun to show tangible results.
“Wins like this don’t happen by accident. They’re the product of long hours of training, smart coaching, and a strong support system. Gilas Youth delivered, and they deserve the nation’s full recognition,” he said.
The SEABA Cup serves as the regional gateway to the FIBA U16 Asia Cup. With this win, the Philippines cemented its place in the continental tournament, where it will face tougher competition from across Asia.
Romualdez said the House will continue to push for stronger sports development programs and better funding for grassroots and elite-level training.
“We’re committed to giving our young athletes the resources they need to succeed. Victories like this prove that Filipino talent can shine with the right support. They’ve raised the bar for what we expect from Philippine basketball. I look forward to seeing them compete at the next level,” said the House chief.