The PBA coaching carousel, never one to stay still for long, has apparently made its most intriguing spin yet. Sources within the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) camp have reportedly confirmed to SPIN.ph the imminent ascension of Barangay Ginebra Kings icon LA Tenorio to the head coaching job of the Magnolia Hotshots.
And if that sounds familiar, it's because Snow Badua, that indefatigable purveyor of PBA whispers, was on top of this story way back on July 10, posting the rumor on social media. So, a hearty congratulations to Snow Badua for once again proving his uncanny ability to get ahead of the curve. The man simply knows things.
But while Badua gets his well-deserved kudos, the loudest cheers are undoubtedly coming from the legions of Magnolia fans, who have been waiting for this moment with bated breath, for what feels like an eternity.
For nine years, Chito Victolero presided over the Hotshots' bench. He delivered a championship in the 2018 Governors' Cup, a commendable feat. However, since that lone title, the narrative for Magnolia has been one of consistent disappointment. Despite often boasting one of the strongest lineups on paper, the Hotshots have fallen short in three Finals appearances (2019 Philippine Cup vs. San Miguel, 2020 Philippine Cup vs. TNT, and 2023-2024 Commissioner's Cup vs. San Miguel again). More damningly, they've failed to move past the semifinals a staggering 11 times in that span.
Victolero became the perennial object of fans' ire, their frustration exacerbated by the team's "introvoys" tag – a stinging, yet often accurate, reference to a team that starts strong but fades when it matters most. Even with new acquisitions like Zavier Lucero and Will Navarro (whose imminent departure for the KBL only adds to Magnolia's recent woes), the Hotshots couldn't break the curse. Victolero now joins Jorge Gallent (replaced by Leo Austria at San Miguel) as the second SMC coach to receive a pink slip recently, further underscoring the championship-or-bust mentality within the conglomerate.
Enter LA Tenorio. At 41, he's a living legend, a multi-time champion, and a clutch performer whose game-winning three-pointer in Ginebra's recent Game 6 win against San Miguel was a vintage "Tinyente" moment. More importantly, he's been diligently preparing for a coaching career, serving as a deputy for both Gilas Pilipinas and Ginebra, and most recently taking the reins of the Gilas Youth team. He's steeped in the tactical genius of Tim Cone and possesses the rare combination of high basketball IQ, leadership, and player respect.
While Tenorio himself remained non-committal about his playing future at the end of Ginebra's season, the writing was clearly on the wall. "Honestly, I don’t know what’s going to happen to me for the next few weeks, next few months. So we’ll see,” he said after a Game 7 loss.
The transition from active player to head coach is one thing, but the switch from the iconic red of Ginebra to the colors of Magnolia – their arch-rival, their "Manila Clasico" opponent – is another entirely. It's a move that will require mental fortitude and a deep understanding of the rivalry's nuances. But if anyone can navigate such a monumental shift, it's LA Tenorio.
For Magnolia fans, this is more than just a coaching change. It's a symbolic resetting of the compass, a new hope that the "introvoys" tag can finally be shed, and that a true champion, with an intimate understanding of what it takes to win, can finally lead them back to glory. The waiting game is almost over, and the era of Coach LA is seemingly upon us.
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