The Magnolia Hotshots officially broke out of their early-season rut with an emphatic 112-98 wire-to-wire victory over the Meralco Bolts on Friday, July 24, in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Head coach LA Tenorio got the exact response he demanded from his squad, taking the cue from import KJ Buffen to secure their first win following a frustrating 0-2 start to the conference.

Buffen set the tone right from the opening tip by scoring 22 of his game-high 26 points in a explosive first-half display. The rest of the Hotshots followed his lead with sharp, heads-up execution throughout the second half, ensuring Meralco never gained full control of the momentum.

“I have to give credit to my players. Ang sinasabi ko lang sa kanila, they just have to believe. They just have to believe na we can battle with these strong teams, tough teams, seasoned teams. Iyon lang ang gusto naming makita,” Tenorio said post-game. He noted that the squad practiced hard all week, watched film together, and executed the exact game plan required to earn the victory.

KJ Buffen Sets the Pace as Hotshots Take Control

Buffen was an absolute force across the floor, supplementing his 26-point performance by pulling down 12 rebounds and issuing five key assists. His dominant first half gave Magnolia a double-digit cushion, leaving Meralco forced to play catch-up for the remainder of the evening.

The loss snapped Meralco’s two-game winning streak and dropped the Bolts to a 2-2 record overall. Antonio Hester tried to keep Meralco within striking distance by dropping a game-high 28 points alongside 10 rebounds. CJ Cansino, Bong Quinto, and Aaron Black each chipped in at least 10 points for the Bolts, but their combined production was not enough to match Magnolia’s fiery start.

Meralco managed to muster several mini-runs to keep threatening in the second half. However, each time the Bolts mounted a potential comeback, Magnolia had a ready answer to keep the game safely out of reach.

LA Tenorio’s Tactical Mandate: The Local Core Steps Up

While Buffen keyed the initial surge, the game hinged on the major contributions from Magnolia’s local core. Zavier Lucero shrugged off a quiet three-point first half to deliver a huge double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Ian Sangalang was automatic early, hitting his first six shots from the field to finish with 16 points, while veteran Mark Barroca notched 14 points while doing a bit of everything on the floor.

Tenorio emphasized after their opening loss that the team could never rely on their import alone to win games. He reiterated that while local support does not strictly mean scoring points, having the domestic roster step up provides massive relief for the import and balances the overall system.

Despite the breakthrough win, Tenorio acknowledged that his team still has plenty of work ahead on the defensive end, noting several execution lapses that need fixing. The Hotshots now look to carry this newfound spark into their upcoming battles, starting with Rain or Shine next Friday followed by a marquee clash against Barangay Ginebra three days later.