Chua tempers expectations on Tenorio

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) sports director Alfrancis Chua tempers his expectations on LA Tenorio following his appointment as head coach of Magnolia.

Chua does not promise a quick turnaround for the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), scheduled to unfold its 50th season in October. Instead, the management will allow Tenorio to have a honeymoon period with the Hotshots while he adjusts to his new role after a successful playing career.

“We’re not expecting anything. All coaches have their adjustments. But we’re very positive,” Chua said at the sidelines of Gilas Pilipinas’ 103-98 win over the Macau Black Bears in a sendoff tune-up game before flying to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tenorio’s appointment was made official earlier in the day. The eight-time PBA champion replaced Chito Victolero, who spent nine seasons with the franchise and won one championship in 2018.

“We’re very positive. I, myself, am very positive. I know LA personally. I know that he’s a good coach,” Chua said of the four-time PBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

The 41-year-old Tenorio is currently focused on his national team duty as head coach of the Gilas Youth which will participate in the FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup in August.

Chua is confident Tenorio will be able to steer Magnolia in the right direction following a string of disappointing campaigns since winning the 2018 Governors’ Cup.

“He’s a very, very, very smart player. I know he can apply that to the team,” Chua added.

“LA knows how to run a team. He knows how to be a leader of a team and I think he’s going to be successful.”

Tenorio played 18 seasons in the league after being selected fourth overall pick by San Miguel Beer in 2006.

He was traded to Alaska in 2008 and helped the Aces capture the 2010 Fiesta Conference title. Tenorio was shipped to Barangay Ginebra in 2012 and bagged seven titles.

The veteran guard has served as playing assistant coach of the Kings and deputy of Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone since 2023.

This time, he’ll be facing Cone on the other side of the celebrated Manila Clasico rivalry between Ginebra and Magnolia.

Tenorio will be taking over a team that is fresh from a heartbreaking campaign in the season-ending Philippine Cup.

The Hotshots made a good run in the eliminations and were armed with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, only to be beaten twice — both in close decisions — by eventual runner-up TNT.