SBP to assess Gilas Youth, Tenorio after historic U16 Asia Cup exit

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will conduct a full review of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth program and head coach LA Tenorio after the team’s disappointing 10th-place finish in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The Philippines failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in the tournament’s history, winning only once in four outings. The lone victory came against Indonesia, 65-60, before the squad bowed to Bahrain in the qualification to the quarterfinals.

“Ang assessment naman after the tournament is mandatory ‘yan. We do it for all our teams. Definitely, there will be an assessment… We still have to process it,” said SBP executive director Erika Dy.

Dy acknowledged the frustration of the federation and its supporters. “I have seen how disappointed our fans are and our countrymen. I’m disappointed myself. I do not hide that. I think we should have at least beat Bahrain and be on the quarterfinals. I felt that we were more talented.” 

Tenorio, who replaced Josh Reyes late last year, handled Gilas Youth for the first time in an Asian-level competition. Dy said that transition, as well as Tenorio’s recent appointment as Magnolia head coach in the PBA, will be part of the SBP’s considerations. 

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Gilas Youth falls short of its fourth-quarter comeback as it fails to reach the quarterfinals of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup for the first time, two years after going as far as the final four https://t.co/rUmwZYLoLo

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) September 4, 2025

“Just remember that this is LA’s first time coaching in the U16 Asia Cup. We switched coaches late last year and sometimes, when there is a new direction in the program, you have to take a setback also in order to move forward more. We have to consider all of these things,” Dy explained.

She added: “I think LA was not the same coach that we hired a year ago with the weight of coaching Magnolia on his shoulders now. That’s a big consideration with the assessment. Wala pa tayo doon (assessment). Ayaw nating madaliin ang desisyon na ‘to. Pag-iisipan mabuti, pag-aaralan natin ng mabuti, titignan natin kung ano ang mangyayari looking forward.”

Tenorio, for his part, said he remains Gilas Youth coach for now, though he admitted the extended PBA schedule could pose challenges in the future.

“For now, yes,” Tenorio said. “Kasi actually, wala naman, so far, sa schedule ng PBA at sa schedule ng Batang Gilas, walang conflict so far. It will depend on the schedule of the PBA if they will change. Again, priority is of course, PBA for now kung season ng PBA.”

“Kung wala namang conflict, I already started it and I just started. Again, walang kasiguraduhan dahil sa schedule. We will talk to the federation, with the SBP, and the PBA also with the schedule,” he added.

The SBP is expected to finalize its assessment of the youth program and Tenorio’s role in the coming weeks.

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