LA Tenorio is new head coach of Magnolia Hotshots

MANILA, July 29 ------ A veteran playmaker is set to make his transition into the PBA coaching scene, leading the next era of the Magnolia Hotshots. This, as former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel star guard LA Tenorio has been named as the newest head coach of the Magnolia Hotshots, San Miguel Sports Director Alfrancis Chua confirmed. “This was planned a month ago or a week ago, talking to LA,” said Chua before the Gilas Pilipinas-Macau Black Bears friendly at the Araneta Coliseum.

Despite this being the first time for Tenorio to lead a PBA squad as its head tactician, the post is not new to the Ateneo de Manila University product as he is also the coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Boys team. “Biniro ko siya after winning the gold sa SEABA, I said pwede ka na,” detailed Chua. “Doon nag-umpisa yun. Everybody knows he’s a very intelligent guy, very smart, team leader.”

The Barangay Ginebra Governor, while tempering expectations, is confident that Tenorio will eventually translate his prowess into leading the Hotshots who are still seeking their first championship since 2018. “We’re not expecting that much, bago pa lang si LA. But for sure, he’ll be good as a head coach,” Chua said. “Pero ang daming nagtatanong, baka bata pa, sabi ko hindi na bata. 40 na eh, hindi na maglalaro. He was excited when I called him. Sabi ko naka-decide na kami na magko-coach siya sa Magnolia.” However, Tenorio would be entering a completely different stage now that he is over to Magnolia’s side, as he won all but one of his eight PBA championships with the Gin Kings.

Tenorio, who was traded to Ginebra in 2012, earned all but one of his four Finals MVPs, his 2013 Best Player of the Conference, and all but one of his Mythical Team citations with the Gin Kings.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com