(PBA image)
LA Tenorio is not closing the door on extending his rare stint as a playing-coach for the Magnolia Hotshots as PBA Season 50 moves forward.
Although his first experience juggling both roles came under less-than-ideal circumstances, the rookie coach said the setup remains a possibility depending on how the team shapes up in the coming weeks.
“We’ll see. Nag-playing coach lang ako kasi Jerome (Lastimosa) wasn’t sure kung makakabalik,” said LA Tenorio, underscoring that the decision was born more out of necessity than design.
Tenorio was thrust into the dual role after injuries sidelined key guards Jerome Lastimosa and veteran Paul Lee during Magnolia’s Philippine Cup game against Rain or Shine in Bahrain. With the backcourt suddenly depleted, Tenorio reactivated himself, suiting up while simultaneously calling the shots from the sidelines.
He ended up playing and coaching in two games, including Magnolia’s 118-109 loss to TNT in the quarterfinals that brought the Hotshots’ Philippine Cup campaign to a close.
Now with a conference break ahead, Tenorio believes the downtime will be crucial for the Magnolia Hotshots as they continue adjusting to the system he installed upon taking over the coaching reins prior to Season 50.
“We’ll see. Ako naman I want to join practices for them to see kung ano yung… siyempre mga bata yan. They want to do things on their own right away,” he explained.
Tenorio admitted he made a conscious decision to overhaul Magnolia’s approach, a move that understandably came with growing pains.
“And iniba ko talaga completely yung sistema nila for the past years na nasanay sila. So yung system nila, yung habits nila wasn’t there pa. So medyo nahihirapan pa sila. Sometimes, nai-stuck pa sila, hindi nila alam kung ano ang gagawin,” he said.
For Tenorio, the break is less about rest and more about refinement—fine-tuning execution, rebuilding habits, and ensuring the players fully grasp the direction he wants the team to take.
“So yun ang kailangan naming planuhin at puliduhin this break,” he added, making it clear that whether or not he remains a playing-coach, Magnolia’s reset is already well underway.