LA Tenorio has been named new head coach of Magnolia Hotshots.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Just weeks after hinting at potential retirement, LA Tenorio has been tapped as the new head coach of Magnolia.
San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua announced the development on Monday.
READ: PBA: LA Tenorio hints at possible retirement after Ginebra exit
IT’S OFFICIAL FOR MAGNOLIA
San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua confirms that Ginebra veteran LA Tenorio will be the new head coach of Magnolia. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/qQ8iEeICwL
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) July 28, 2025
“This was planned a month ago and [I was] talking to LA and I joked about him winning the gold in Seaba and asked, ‘ano, pwede ka na?’” said Chua, who also serves as program director and team manager of the Philippine men’s and youth squads just hours before Gilas Men’s exhibition game against the Macau Black Bears at Araneta Coliseum.
“Everybody knows that he’s a very intelligent guy and a very smart man. He’s a team leader and we’re not expecting that much but for sure, he’ll be good as a head coach.”
According to Chua, Tenorio boosted his coaching stock after steering Gilas Youth to an unblemished campaign in the Fiba U16 Asia Cup Seaba Qualifiers two months ago.
The longtime Ginebra guard then teased retirement after the Gin Kings were eliminated in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at the hands of San Miguel Beer earlier this month.
READ: PBA: LA Tenorio ‘felt like a rookie again’ after Game 6 heroics
The 41-year-old Tenorio, the fourth overall pick by the Beermen in the 2006 PBA Draft, played 18 seasons in the PBA.
Tenorio is an eight-time PBA champion and four-time Finals MVP. He holds the record for most consecutive games played at 744, earning the distinction as the league’s “Iron Man.”
“He was excited when I called him and told him that we decided that he will be a coach [for the Hotshots],” Chua said.
Chua said former Magnolia coach Chito Victolero’s future with the team will be up to Tenorio.
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