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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Cone-Tenorio's Manila Clasico rivalry kicks off PBA's 50th season

Cone-Tenorio's Manila Clasico rivalry kicks off PBA's 50th season

Published Oct 4, 2025 12:22 pm  |  Updated Oct 4, 2025 01:16 pm

At A Glance

  • A lot will be in store for the fans in the opening of the PBA 50th Season as a grand celebration aimed to honor the past five decades of the league, as well as the beginning of a new chapter to the fabled Manila Clasico rivalry, is set at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Oct. 5.
Magnolia coach LA Tenorio, left, and Brgy Ginebra mentor Tim Cone.
Magnolia coach LA Tenorio, left, and Brgy Ginebra mentor Tim Cone.
Festivities, celebration and drama.
Fans are in for a treat as the PBA kicks off its 50th Season with a grand celebration honoring five decades of league history, capped by a new chapter in the storied Manila Clasico rivalry.
The golden season opens on Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the opening ceremony set for 4 p.m. -- where past PBA greats are expected to attend followed by the highly anticipated mentor-mentee showdown between Ginebra’s Tim Cone and Magnolia’s new head coach, LA Tenorio, at 7:30 p.m.
Having spent years on the same side, their first meeting as opposing coaches will surely feel a bit strange. But Cone is confident that his former player will thrive in his new role as head coach of the Hotshots.
"I think LA is going to do wonderful things at Magnolia. I think they will be a contender," said Cone.
"It is difficult going against them and that is just the friendship part and then, there are the X's and O's of what we are trying to do. I'll be curious about what LA does. It would be interesting to see how much of the triangle he adapts," he added.
Of course, Cone wouldn’t want Tenorio’s first PBA win as a coach to come at his expense.
The veteran mentor will lean on Scottie Thompson -- who once shared many battles with Tenorio -- especially with Japeth Aguilar still recovering from a hand injury and Jamie Malonzo having departed in the offseason.
Ginebra’s new recruits, rookie Sonny Estil and free agent Norbert Torres, will be key contributors, along with RJ Abarrientos and Stephen Holt, if the Kings hope to overcome a retooled Magnolia side.
The Hotshots, under Tenorio’s leadership, have added Javi Gomez de Liano via trade to form a promising young core with Zav Lucero, while veterans Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang, and Paul Lee provide stability and experience.
Tenorio, listed as a reserve for Magnolia, admitted that Cone played a major role in shaping him into the coach he is today, saying it will feel strange standing across from his longtime mentor on the opposing bench.
"The biggest help na meron sa akin talaga, definitely coach Tim  all my championship are under coach Tim so how he coaches, how he handles the team pulut-pulot ako dun kung anong pwede magawa," said Tenorio.
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