San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua didn’t have to look far to find a replacement for Chito Victolero.
LA Tenorio has been appointed as the new head coach of Magnolia beginning in PBA Season 50.
“This was planned a month ago or a week ago, talking to LA, yung taong yun, biniro ko siya after winning the gold sa SEABA, I said pwede ka na,” said SMC Sports Director Alfrancis Chua on Monday. “Doon nag-umpisa yun.
“Everybody knows he’s a very intelligent guy, very smart, team leader.”
According to multiple sources familiar with the situation, Tenorio will lead his first practice with the team on August 4.
With this appointment, Tenorio’s 13-year playing career with Barangay Ginebra officially comes to an end.
The 41-year-old veteran point guard retires with an impressive resume: eight PBA championships, four Finals MVP awards, and a Best Player of the Conference plum from the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.
The move echoes a familiar path — much like when San Miguel legend Olsen Racela transitioned into coaching, taking over the Petron Blaze Boosters in 2012 shortly after his retirement.
“We’re not expecting that much, bago pa lang si LA. But for sure, he’ll be good as a head coach,” said Chua.
“Pero ang daming nagtatanong, baka bata pa, sabi ko hindi na bata kaya nga hindi na… 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.”
Tenorio is also currently serving as the head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Boys team.
Victolero had been at the helm of Magnolia from 2016 until the end of last season.
#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
