CHITO Victolero and LA Tenorio have yet to talk since being involved in the recent coaching switch at Magnolia.
The 49-year-old Victolero said he hasn’t reached out to his successor, saying he is aware that the former Barangay Ginebra guard is preoccupied juggling his time with Magnolia and the Gilas Pilipinas youth team, which is currently campaigning in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Mongolia.
“Actually hindi pa kami nakapag-usap. And I don’t want to be a distraction also doon sa ginagawa niya,” said the former Magnolia coach.
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And before people get the wrong impression, Victolero was quick to assert there’s no issue between him and Tenorio.
The former PBA player from Mapua said he has high regard for the eight-time PBA champion and four-time Finals MVP.
“Si LA kaibigan ko yan. Wala kaming problema, nag-uusap kami kapag nagkikita kami sa game. I have high respect for him, yung pagiging leader niya. Yung high basketball IQ niya,” said Victolero.
“Talagang puwede na naman mag-coach si LA. Deserved naman niya.”
Victolero admitted he still has live contract with Magnolia, which Spin.ph learned will run until December.
So far, he’s not been told about what the team plans for him for the remaining months of his contract.
“Wala pa naman. They told me na to rest, and let’s see kung ano ang puwedeng mangyari in the future,” said Victolero.
But seeing the success of the Purefoods franchise will always be first and foremost for him.
“Magnolia is always family for me. I want to see them na maging successful. Wala nga lang ako doon. nasa likod ako, pero naka-support pa rin,” he added.
Victolero talked about his decade-long stint and eventual exit at Magnolia for the first time when he guested in the Power & Play program of former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala.
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