So where is Chito Victolero heading next?
That is now the burning question being asked by fans and pundits alike following the appointment of LA Tenorio as the new head coach of Magnolia.
It sent shockwaves across the PBA, of course, given the fact that the Hotshots spent the last eight seasons with Victolero and won one title under him.
Asked about the matter, San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua is deferring to the former Barangay Ginebra star regarding Victolero.
“Nasa coach ‘yun eh,” he told reporters Monday prior to Gilas Pilipinas’ sendoff game against the Macau Black Bears at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Chua disclosed that the one-time Coach of the Year is still under contract until December, but Tenorio will ultimately have the last say if he stays or not.
The former mentor-turned-executive compared the situation to that of San Miguel’s last year, when Leo Austria swapped places with Jorge Gallent.
(C) SBP
“Nasa coach ‘yun eh; parang si Jorge Gallent, noong pinalitan ni Leo, sabi ni Leo okay siya na nandoon si Jorge, okay,” he recalled.
“‘Pag sinabi ni LA okay si Chito, okay. Pag hindi naman, let’s give him a free hand,” added Chua, who’s also the league’s vice chairman.
Tenorio is being given the liberty to build his own staff, but Chua and his office will still have to assess matters first before giving the green light.
“‘Pag may dala si LA na tatlo, dalawa, isa, apat na assistant coaches, we need to observe then baka may kailangan tayong alisin,” he said.
“Kung hindi natin aalisin, isang basketball team na ‘yun, baka dumami.
“Parang piloto ‘yan, siyempre ‘yung mga piloto, gusto nila na ‘yung nasa kanan nila, assistant nila, pinagkakatiwalaan nila,” he continued.
The members of Tenorio’s staff are still unknown.
Assistant coach Jason Webb has also stepped in as Magnolia team governor.
#WATCH: BAGONG COACH, BAGONG GOVERNOR
A new chapter begins for Magnolia as SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua names LA Tenorio as head coach and promotes Jason Webb to team governor 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/A8nSoUKABS
📹 Justine Bacnis/Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/dKjKbZuScD
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) July 28, 2025
