Magnolia heads into the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup playoffs with rising confidence after dismantling Meralco, 93-76, Sunday, May 10, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Hotshots stretched their winning streak to three games and secured the No. 5 seed with a 7-5 record in the eliminations.

Clinton Chapman powered Magnolia with 19 points, while Paul Lee ignited a pivotal second-quarter explosion with a four-pointer and a triple that helped the Hotshots create massive separation. Magnolia’s defense and offensive rhythm overwhelmed Meralco early, allowing the team to build leads of as much as 21 points.

Magnolia peaking at right time

Magnolia established control in the second quarter and never fully surrendered it despite Meralco’s push in the third. The Hotshots briefly saw their lead trimmed to single digits, but Chapman and Javi Gomez de Liano delivered key baskets that restored order and sealed the statement win.

Coach LA Tenorio emphasized that Magnolia has already embraced a playoff mentality over the past three games. The team’s sharper practices and stronger buy-in to Tenorio’s system have translated into results at the perfect time.

Meralco faces uncertainty

Meralco’s three-game winning streak came to an abrupt end as injuries and ejections disrupted its rhythm. Marvin Jones contributed 14 points before exiting late with a facial injury, while Brandon Bates and Cliff Hodge were also sidelined during critical stretches.

The Bolts now await final playoff seeding, with possible rematches against Magnolia or a different quarterfinal challenge depending on the TNT-Ginebra result. Magnolia, meanwhile, enters the postseason with confidence and momentum after finding form late in the eliminations.