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| LA Tenorio and the Magnolia Hotshots celebrate during their win against Ginebra last Sunday. Photo: PBA Images. |
The Hotshots made sure their new coach’s first night at the helm was a memorable one, taking down crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra, 80-73, to officially open the PBA’s landmark 50th season.
It wasn’t just a game, it was a statement. The “Manila Clasico” lived up to the hype, but it was Magnolia that seized control early, erupting for a 17-3 start and never really looking back. The Hotshots looked sharper, hungrier, and more composed under pressure, a clear reflection of Tenorio’s calm, veteran leadership.
WELL DONE, COACH LA 🫡
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) October 5, 2025
Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio secures his first win with the Hotshots in his debut against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at the Manila Clasico opening of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup. | via Gillian Trinidad/One Sports#PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/MNIUsYVk8e
“It’s a good start to a new journey,” Tenorio said after the emotional win. “I told the team this night isn’t about me or Coach Tim (Cone); it’s about us as players and as a group. Everyone stepped up, and I’m proud of how focused they were.”
Magnolia’s young guns stole the show. Zavier Lucero led the charge with a stellar all-around performance, 17 points, seven boards, four assists, and four steals, proving once again why he’s one of the league’s rising two-way stars. Jerom Lastimosa and Javi Gomez de Liano added 14 apiece, fueling Magnolia’s steady offense and relentless defensive energy.
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| Magnolia small forward Javi Gómez de Liaño shoots over Ginebra point guard RJ Abarrientos. Photo: PBA Images. |
“It feels like a new era for us,” Lucero said. “Coach LA brings a different vibe, calm but challenging. This win doesn’t mean we’ve made it, but it’s the right way to start.”
For Ginebra, it was a night of frustration. Despite Stephen Holt’s impressive double-double of 16 points and 17 rebounds, the Gin Kings struggled to find rhythm against Magnolia’s suffocating defense. It’s an early reminder that the defending crowd favorites still have work to do after last season’s grueling campaign.
LA Tenorio was quick to deflect the full credit for emerging triumphant in his debut as Magnolia coach in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday, which came at the expense of his former team Barangay Ginebra.
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) October 6, 2025
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As confetti rained and the season’s first buzzer sounded, it was clear that LA Tenorio’s coaching debut had passed its first big test. Magnolia didn’t just win a game, they redefined their identity under one of the league’s most respected veterans.
And if this Manila Clasico is a preview of what’s to come, PBA Season 50 is off to a thrilling start.
The scores:
Magnolia (80): Lucero 17, Lastimosa 14, Gómez de Liaño 14, Dela Rosa 12, Sangalang 9, Barroca 7, Laput 5, Dionisio 2, Lee 0, Verano 0, Alfaro 0, Escoto 0.
Ginebra (73): Holt 16, Gray 13, Rosario 12, Abarrientos 11, Estil 9, Aguilar 5, Cu 3, Torres 2, David 2, Thompson 0.
Quarterscores: 23-14, 36-30, 61-48, 80-73