Tenorio, Lassiter glad they keep Gilas slots

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra playmaker LA Tenorio and SMB hotshot Marcio Lassiter expressed gratitude after being named to the new national pool despite being no-shows in the previous Gilas Pilipinas team.

Both said they’re ready to return to the pool and ready to play if chosen to the final roster of players that will be sent to the Olympic world qualifier next year.

“I was surprised I was still tapped to rejoin the pool even as I missed the Changsha games,” said Tenorio, a Gilas mainstay from the 2012 Jones Cup to the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Korea.

“I’ve talked to coach Tab. He told me ‘you’re really part of the pool.’ I’m so happy he still took me in,” Tenorio also said.

He doesn’t see problem with his mother team Barangay Ginebra, saying coach Tim Cone is supportive to the cause.

Lassiter, a part of the original Gilas Pilipinas team under coach Rajko Toroman, is looking forward to once again donning the national jersey.

“Being nominated into the pool is definitely an honor. I was part of the national team before and I enjoyed every second of it and to be nominated again is truly an honor and I feel blessed,” he said.

“I’m ready to play again. This is a great shot to be in the Olympics. I hope we can make it,” added Lassiter, a gunner badly missed by Gilas in the recent FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha.

Both Tenorio and Lassiter were among those who didn’t show up in the training camp of the previous Gilas group.

Tenorio cited fatigue and poor form as his reason while Lassiter flew home in the United States to attend to his ailing grandmother.

“I was able to rest, and I’m refreshed,” said Tenorio.

“It’s gonna be a very interesting 17-man lineup. Terrence (Romeo) was a revelation in FIBA Asia. He’s an added weapon. Probably, it will be a battle for the last 10 spots with Andray Blatche and Jayson Castro assured of their spots. Kahit sino ang matira dyan can play,” Tenorio also said.

Gabe Norwood, a national player from the 2007 FIBA Asia, is excited with the new pool the PBA released to Baldwin.  

“It’s exciting to have so much talent in the country all together. Hopefully we’d all get better and be prepared for the qualifier,” said Norwood.

Others named to the pool are Junmar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Jeff Chan, Paul Lee, Calvin Abueva, Ranidel de Ocampo, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Marc Pingris, Terrence Romeo, Greg Slaughter, Ryan Reyes, Troy Rosario and Ian Sanggalang.