MANILA – LA Tenorio, in his debut season as Magnolia Hotshots head coach (and occasional playing-coach), admitted the need for deep reflection after his team’s abrupt quarterfinal exit in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup. Magnolia fell 118-109 to TNT Tropang Giga on December 27, 2025, in Game 2, getting swept despite a valiant comeback from a 27-point deficit.
Tenorio, who took over mid-2025, told reporters post-game: “I have a lot of soul-searching to do. We lost steam in crucial moments, and that’s on me as coach.” He praised TNT’s execution under Chot Reyes (his former Gilas mentor) and noted lessons learned: “Marami akong natutunan—not just today, but this whole conference.”
Magnolia showed fight—trimming the gap to single digits behind Zavier Lucero (22 points) and Rome dela Rosa (19)—but couldn’t overcome TNT’s balanced attack led by Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading.
For Tenorio—a PBA legend with 8 titles as player—this early playoff ouster (Magnolia’s first conference under him) marks a learning curve in his transition to the sidelines (and briefly back on court due to injuries).
As the Hotshots head into offseason, Tenorio’s soul-searching could shape a stronger 2026—turning this setback into fuel for future runs.
Game 2 Box Score Highlights (TNT 118-109 Magnolia):
| Player (Magnolia) | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zavier Lucero | 22 | Team-high; strong comeback effort |
| Rome dela Rosa | 19 | Key second-half surge |
| Jerom Lastimosa | 18 | Contributed in rally |
| LA Tenorio | 3 | Limited minutes; focus on coaching |