Romwel Anzures

Former and incoming Magnolia Hotshots head coaches Chito Victolero (left) and LA Tenorio (right). Photos from PBA Images & Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756632079073IMG_8143.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former and incoming Magnolia Hotshots head coaches Chito Victolero (left) and LA Tenorio (right). Photos from PBA Images &amp; Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas."/>Former and incoming Magnolia Hotshots head coaches Chito Victolero (left) and LA Tenorio (right). Photos from PBA Images &amp; Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.MANILA — Chito Victolero has nothing but well wishes for his former squad despite his exit as the Magnolia Hotshots head coach.</div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/8/30/pba-chito-victolero-opens-up-on-magnolia-exit-nagulat-na-hindi-nagulat-2119">READ: Chito Victolero opens up on Magnolia exit — ‘Nagulat na hindi nagulat’</a></div>The Mapua University product expressed his full support for the incoming mentor of the Purefoods franchise LA Tenorio and his crew, saying that he has no ill feelings even with his replacement after nine years with the team.“Lagi namang ganyan, so kaming coaches, ready naman kami sa ganyang sitwasyon,” Victolero said Saturday in an appearance on Power &amp; Play. “Si LA, kaibigan ko yan. Wala kaming problema, nag uusap kami, and I have respect kay LA. Pwede na talagang mag coach si LA, deserve naman niya yan.”Victolero acknowledged that Magnolia’s recent run of underperformance in the recent conferences might have played a part in his firing, which is why he also took all the blame.“Ang take ko dyan, it’s my responsibility pa rin,” he emphasized. “Ako yung leader, so whatever happens to the team, inaako ko yan. I always told them: ‘Whatever happens, do not pinpoint, it’s my fault kung ano man ang mangyari.’”Victolero was officially replaced by Tenorio last July, weeks after the Hotshots squandered a twice-to-beat advantage to eventual finalists TNT Tropang 5G in the quarterfinals.This came after a nine-year run with Magnolia, with Victolero leading them to a championship as well as multiple runs to the semifinals and the finals. They also never missed the playoffs under the former Kia head coach’s leadership.But now that he has concluded his time with the Hotshots, does Victolero have any advice for Tenorio who is tasked to end the team’s seven-year championship drought?“Actually, ‘di pa kami nakakapag-usap, and I don’t want also na maging distraction sa ginagawa niya,” he said. “I want him to concentrate, kasi Magnolia will always be family to me kaya I want to see them succeed.”“LA naman has his own system, so I just want to see them grow and be successful,” he added.For his part, Victolero shared that he also has no bitterness at all with San Miguel Corp. big boss Ramon Ang and the rest of their management.“First of all, I’m very grateful to Boss RSA for all the support sa Magnolia. Of course, siyempre, ‘di mo naman talaga lahat makukuha. So ang mantra ko, kung ano ang andyan, ima-maximize ko lang yan,” he said.“Kung may players akong gusto tapos hindi natuloy, wala na yun, that’s in the past. So for me, wala naman akong sentimiento na ‘di ako nabigyan,” added Victolero. “Nasanay na ako noon sa Mapua, na ito yung talent ko, I will maximize this. Yung culture na yun, nadala namin sa dulo. They told me just to rest, and then let’s see kung anong mangyayari sa future. For now, concentrate muna ako sa family ko and sa business.”As for his legacy with the Hotshots, this is what Victolero had to say: “I translated Magnolia to be the No.1 defensive team, and of course, one of the best in terms of chemistry. Na-translate ko rin yung Magnolia to become a family.”

Chito Victolero has nothing but well wishes for his former squad despite his exit as the Magnolia Hotshots head coach.

Chito Victolero has nothing but well wishes for his former squad despite his exit as the Magnolia Hotshots head coach.

PBA: Chito Victolero expresses full support for LA Tenorio, Magnolia after exit

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PBA: Chito Victolero expresses full support for LA Tenorio, Magnolia after exit

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 31, 2025 08:05 PM PHT

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