Magnolia continued its resurgence in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with an emphatic 85-70 victory over Terrafirma on Tuesday, April 7,  at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Hotshots leaned on a dominant performance from import Clint Chapman to secure their second straight win.

Chapman delivered a complete outing, finishing with 28 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal. His presence was key in Magnolia’s second-half surge. The run turned a tight contest into a comfortable win for the Hotshots.

The supporting cast also stepped up for Magnolia, with Zavier Lucero, Rome Dela Rosa, Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee, and Mark Barroca contributing on both ends. Their combined effort helped the team move closer to fully recovering from its early 0-3 slump in the conference.

Head coach LA Tenorio highlighted defense as the driving force behind the team’s back-to-back victories. He emphasized that while scoring comes naturally, consistent stops were the real challenge he posed to his players.

Tenorio noted that Magnolia’s defense held firm even during a slow offensive start in the first half. That defensive discipline carried over into the second half and allowed the team to take control of the game.

Defense anchors Magnolia’s turnaround

Magnolia’s defensive effort stood out as it held Terrafirma far below its usual scoring output. Entering the game averaging over 100 points per contest, the Dyip were limited to just 70.

Tenorio admitted he did not expect such a low total but credited his players for executing the game plan. The emphasis on limiting Terrafirma’s offensive rhythm proved decisive in the outcome.

The Hotshots capitalized on their defensive stops and turned them into transition opportunities. This helped them gradually build separation as the game progressed and maintain control late.

Dyip struggle despite individual efforts

Terrafirma dropped to a 3-2 record following the loss, struggling to find consistent offense throughout the game. Jerrick Ahanmisi led the team with 21 points but needed 20 shots to get there.

Mubashar Ali added 18 points and 18 rebounds, providing a strong presence inside despite inefficient shooting. Maverick Ahanmisi and Joseph Eriobu chipped in 11 points each.

However, the Dyip were outmatched in key areas, including inside scoring and points off turnovers. Those gaps proved costly as Magnolia pulled away late in the fourth quarter.

A decisive 12-5 run early in the final period extended Magnolia’s lead to double digits. The advantage ballooned to as much as 83-66 before the final buzzer sealed a convincing win.