For LA Tenorio, taking the reins of the Magnolia Hotshots feels like coming home.
Long before he became a PBA icon, few may recall that Tenorio once donned the Magnolia colors during his early days in the league. Drafted fourth overall by San Miguel in 2006, the former Ateneo floor general played his first two seasons under the Magnolia Beverage Masters brand after the franchise rebranded during his rookie year.
That brief stint ended without a championship, as Tenorio was traded to Alaska after just two seasons. Nearly two decades later, he now returns to the Magnolia name—this time as its head coach, replacing Chito Victolero.
“Bilog lang talaga ang mundo. Maliit lang ang mundo ng basketball. I’m just happy I was given this opportunity,” Tenorio said. “Ang daming puwedeng coaches na puwedeng ilagay dito, but ako ang binigyan ng chance. Siguro may dahilan, may purpose kung bakit ako nandito.”
Determined to Deliver a Title
Since taking over, Tenorio has already begun reshaping Magnolia’s roster in pursuit of its first championship since the 2018 Governors’ Cup. The Hotshots traded Jerrick Ahanmisi for Javi Gomez de Liaño, extended big man Zavier Lucero for two more years, and drafted versatile San Beda forward Yukie Andrada in the first round of the Season 50 rookie draft.
“Siyempre, binigay sa atin itong opportunity na ito, so for sure I’m not going to waste it,” he stressed. “Yan ang kailangan nating pagtrabahuhan.”
Carrying the Same Competitive Spirit
Now 41, Tenorio said he plans to carry into coaching the same fire that defined his playing career.
“I’m still going to be the same LA as a player—very competitive,” he said. “It’s a weird feeling and a weird situation, but one thing I learned from playing with Ginebra is the never-say-die spirit. Hindi lang sa basketball, pati sa buhay—siguro ‘yun ang maibibigay ko sa team namin.”
While the mantra is closely tied to Ginebra, Tenorio believes its essence transcends team rivalries. “In life, ganun talaga. You should not stop playing—you should be resilient all the time,” he said.
With a championship-starved franchise now under his guidance, Tenorio has the chance to write a new chapter—bringing the Magnolia name full circle in his storied basketball journey.