Chito Victolero bids Magnolia well, throws full support behind LA Tenorio

Former Magnolia Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero has nothing but gratitude and good wishes for his old ballclub, even after parting ways with the team he led for nearly a decade.

Speaking on Power & Play on Saturday, Victolero openly backed his successor, incoming mentor LA Tenorio, and stressed that he holds no bitterness about being replaced.

“Lagi namang ganyan, so kaming coaches, ready naman kami sa ganyang sitwasyon,” Victolero said. “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 admitted Magnolia’s inconsistent showings in recent conferences likely contributed to the management’s decision. He took full responsibility for the team’s struggles, saying accountability had always been his leadership mantra.

“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.’”

Tenorio officially stepped in last July, shortly after Magnolia fell to TNT Tropang 5G in the quarterfinals despite holding a twice-to-beat edge. That defeat closed the curtain on Victolero’s nine-year stint where he guided the Hotshots to a championship, multiple semifinal and finals appearances, and an unbroken string of playoff berths.

While he has yet to formally talk about coaching with Tenorio, Victolero said he prefers not to get in the way of the team’s transition.

“Actually, ‘di pa kami nakakapag-usap, and I don’t want also na maging distraction sa ginagawa niya,” he explained. “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.”

Victolero also expressed deep appreciation for San Miguel Corporation and its top executive, Ramon S. Ang, stressing that he harbors no regrets or ill feelings.

“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,” Victolero added. “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.”

Looking back at his tenure, Victolero takes pride in shaping Magnolia’s identity on and off the court.

“As for my legacy with the Hotshots, 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.”

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