PBA: LA Tenorio dedicates Magnolia win to late Ginebra utility

MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia’s showdown with Meralco in the PBA Governors’ Cup meant more than just a game for coach LA Tenorio.

Tenorio dedicated the Hotshots’105-88 rout of Meralco on Friday to Ian Calilan, one of Barangay Ginebra’s longtime utility staff members who recently passed.

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“I just want to personally dedicate this win to my guy in Ginebra who passed away,” he said.

“He was one of the guys who took care of me when I was still in Ginebra, so I personally dedicate this to him. I asked for his blessing last night in prayer and thought, sana ‘di lang sa Ginebra, sana kami din,” he added in jest.

Calilan died Thursday due to a lingering illness. He was 51.

He had been with the Ginebra team since 1999, earning the fondness of not just the Gin Kings but also the entire league.

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When Tenorio was traded from Alaska to Ginebra in 2012, Calilan was still a Ginebra utility staff member.

Calilan was in attendance and energetic during the Gin Kings’ most recent clash with Magnolia last Sunday, making his passing shocking news for everyone, including Tenorio.