It didn’t take long for LA Tenorio to suit up again.
Magnolia has activated the 41-year-old floor general ahead of the Hotshots’ matchup against the TNT Tropang 5G on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Tenorio is set to replace Paul Lee in the lineup, as Lee sustained a hamstring injury during Magnolia’s 92-101 loss to Rain or Shine last Monday in Manila.
After the game, Tenorio told Tiebreaker Times that he hadn’t closed the door on a potential return.
“I’m not saying yes, but I’m not saying either,” Tenorio said.
The eight-time PBA champion last played during the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals in July.
Since then, he coached Gilas Pilipinas Boys and Magnolia.
With this activation, Tenorio joins the ranks of legends like Sonny Jaworski, Allan Caidic, and Manny Pacquiao as playing coaches in the PBA.
Meanwhile, TNT head coach Chot Reyes is already preparing his team for Tenorio’s presence on the court.
“That’s going to be part of what we have to prepare for, and it’s my job to make sure the players aren’t caught off guard on Sunday,” Reyes said Friday evening after TNT’s 113-96 win over Blackwater.
Magnolia currently sits fifth with a 6-4 record, while TNT is third at 7-4.
#WATCH: COULD LA BE BACK ON THE COURT? 🏀
Magnolia’s head coach LA Tenorio shares his thoughts amid the Hotshots’ injury woes#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/BB8a1jXQZ8
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/8sDACuoVGQ
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 16, 2025
