LA Tenorio is still hoping that the PBA opens Season 51 in January rather than March, even though the 2027 competitions have already been calendared
The Magnolia head coach rued the four months of inactivity, especially for teams like his that exited early in the Season 50 Governors’ Cup playoffs, after the Hotshots got eliminated by TNT in the best-of-3 quarterfinals via sweep.
“Hopefully we play in January, not March 7. Sana,” he said moments after their 98-87 Game 3 loss to the reigning champions at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“We’d rather play in January than March 7. Masyadong matagal ‘yung March. I don’t think other coaches and other teams will allow that. Sayang eh, sayang. Ganda na ng momentum ng 50th season tapos ganun katagal. Masyado.”
The league has already set a March 2027 opening for the next season as it is giving way to Gilas Pilipinas’ Window 6 campaign in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers in February, which includes a home game in Cebu.
International stints of the men’s national team are the reason why the PBA has been taking multiple, lengthy breaks in its ongoing golden season.
The longest it took was 53 days, when the league paused the season-ending conference last August to give way to the World Cup Qualifiers’ fourth window and the 20th Asian Games in Japan before resuming last October.
Another weeks-long break is on the horizon, with Gilas set to prepare for Window 5 on November 26-29, which will be held in Seremban, Malaysia.
Thus, the protracted 2025-26 tilt—it opened on October 5, 2025, and could end on December 30, 2026, if the best-of-seven Governors’ Cup Finals goes the distance.
Even if Magnolia managed to flip the script against the Tropang 5G and reached the semifinals instead, Tenorio wouldn’t change his stance whatsoever.
Because as the Gilas assistant coach himself noted, there are only a few PBA ball clubs that have players called up for national team duties.
“Hopefully, Comm. Willie will give us a chance—us coaches to talk about that. And the management, maybe they can talk to them,” Tenorio said.
“Even if we won today, or if we won the quarterfinals, I’ll say the same thing. It’s not for me, it’s for the players. Kasi siyempre, gusto ng mga players, maglaro. And hindi naman lahat nasa Gilas eh. Sana. Para tuloy-tuloy tayo.”
