Magnolia returned to the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday, November 14, at Smart Araneta Coliseum, determined to shake off a recent slump. The Hotshots fell behind by 12 points in the first half but regained momentum with aggressive defense and sharp shooting. Blackwater struggled to respond, allowing Magnolia to take full control in the third quarter.

Javi Gomez de Liano led the surge, driving to the basket and finding teammates in open space. Raffy Verano added crucial inside scoring, while Paul Lee hit a key triple to extend Magnolia’s lead. The Hotshots turned a tight game into a commanding win by maintaining relentless pressure.

Magnolia flips the script with decisive second-half run

Magnolia’s third-quarter burst erased the deficit and set the tone for the remainder of the contest. The Hotshots executed a 14-0 run, forcing Blackwater into hurried possessions and turnovers. Their fast-break efficiency and perimeter shooting left the Bossing scrambling to stay competitive.

The victory boosted Magnolia to 5-2 in the PBA Philippine Cup while marking the franchise’s 994th overall win. The result also helped heal the sting of a narrow loss against San Miguel, providing confidence for upcoming games.

Tenorio pushes for cleaner starts moving forward

Coach LA Tenorio praised his team’s resilience but highlighted slow starts as an area for improvement. He emphasized that young starters must assert themselves early and set the tone. Magnolia will use the break before its Dec. 5 matchup against Converge to sharpen execution and cohesion.

Blackwater fell to 1-6 after suffering its sixth straight loss, further dimming its playoff hopes. The Bossing will need to make significant adjustments to remain competitive in the PBA Philippine Cup.