LA Tenorio has been named new head coach of Magnolia Hotshots.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
San Miguel Corporation is handing the reins of the Magnolia Hotshots to LA Tenorio, who will now have the arduous job of trying to change the fortunes of the team that has been long searching for another PBA championship.
But sports director Alfrancis Chua, though tempering expectations, believes the former Barangay Ginebra floor general turned Magnolia mentor can be capable of the biggest role he had since entering the coaching scene.
“A lot of people have been asking that he may be too young for the job,” Chua said in Filipino about the 40-year-old Tenorio. “[In fact,] he was excited when I called and told him that we’ve decided to make him the Magnolia coach.”
Tenorio will take the place of Chito Victolero, who handled the team from 2016 until the recent 2024 to 2025 campaign. Victolero steered Magnolia to the 2018 Governors’ Cup crown, but championship success has eluded the Hotshots since.
Magnolia was coming off a disappointing quarterfinal exit in the Philippine Cup when it blew a twice-to-beat advantage against eventual losing finalist TNT.
Chua said it will be up to Tenorio if he would like to keep Victolero on the staff, or tap other coaches to be part of his staff.
“If LA’s okay that’s Chito there, that’s fine. If not, let’s give him a free hand,” said Chua.
Chua said that he “not expecting that much” from Tenorio in not just the only change for Magnolia as Jason Webb became its new team governor.
Webb was elevated to the executive role following the retirement of Rene Pardo, who held the post for more than two decades.
Webb handled the franchise for one season in 2015 to 2016 when it was still the Star Hotshots, before being brought back to the assistant role when Victolero took charge.
“In this case, we have to experiment, try new things that could click,” said Chua. “You can’t settle on a simple adobo, we have to add something to the mix. So let’s try new things out, maybe the taste will be much better.”
Tenorio’s hiring came a few weeks after making his last appearance for Ginebra in Game 7 of the Philippine Cup semifinals against San Miguel Beer. In the previous game of that series, Tenorio knocked down a game-winning three that forced a decider, making those who witnessed the moment think like he still has plenty of tank left.
That’s why Chua was asked of the possibility of Tenorio doing the dual role of playing as well as coaching the Hotshots.
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“He didn’t say that he’s retired, but coaching is a very difficult job,” said Chua. INQ