LA TENORIO is officially taking over as the new head coach of Magnolia's PBA team, San Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua confirmed on Monday.
Chua said Tenorio will be given the free hand in selecting his coaching staff as he makes his first stint as PBA head coach with the Hotshots, replacing Chito Victolero.
READ LA Tenorio set to be named new Magnolia Hotshots coach: source
SPIN.ph was the first to report the coaching change in the SMC-owned team, which meant the end of a distinguished playing career for the No. 4 pick of the 2006 PBA draft - one adorned by eight championships, one Best Player of the Conference award and four PBA Finals MVP citations.
It also ended the nine-year reign at Magnolia of Victolero, who won his lone championship with the Hotshots in 2018 but endured close calls and came up empty in the playoffs since.
“’Yung sa staff ni LA, since before naman at San Miguel, we are giving the free hand of the coach kung sino ang gusto niya. Nasa sa kanya na ‘yun kung sino ang gusto niyang coaching staff,” said Chua.
Tenorio will likely start fulfilling his duties as Magnolia head coach at the conclusion of his stint as coach of Gilas Pilipinas Youth side vying in the FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup in August, Chua added.
“Siguro pagbalik niya, mag-uumpisa na siya. October pa naman ‘yung liga,” said Chua.
Tenorio's shift to full-time coaching comes after his 18th season in the PBA while playing for Barangay Ginebra, the Hotshots’ archrival, putting him on the other side of the keenly awaited 'Manila Clasico' rivalry games.
In his final few years with the Gin Kings, Tenorio already served as an assistant coach under Tim Cone both at Ginebra and the Gilas men's team before being given the Gilas Youth role by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Magnolia heartbreaks
Tenorio takes over a Magnolia team that has been a perennial playoff contender but has only won one championship – the 2018 Governors’ Cup – after bagging the league's last grand slam under Cone during the 2013-14 season.
In the just-concluded 2025 Philippine Cup, Magnolia had a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals but was ousted by eventual finalist TNT.
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