Magnolia is finally rolling. The Hotshots blew past Meralco, 105-88, Friday night, August 7, to string together back-to-back statement wins for the first time in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup. It’s a run that’s breathing new life into their playoff hopes after a rocky 1-3 start.

The victory followed an 88-73 thrashing of Manila Clasico rival Barangay Ginebra, giving coach LA Tenorio’s squad real momentum heading into the season’s second half. Magnolia now sits tied with Blackwater (3-3) for third and fourth in the Magic 4 of Group B, trailing only Rain or Shine (4-2) and Phoenix (4-2). The Hotshots also leapfrogged Ginebra (2-3) and dropped Meralco (2-5) into a four-game losing skid.

Rain Delay Fails to Cool Down Hotshots’ Fire

Tenorio’s group had to survive more than just Meralco on this night. A leaking roof at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium halted play for nearly 40 minutes just before the fourth quarter, spilling water onto a section of the hardcourt after heavy rains battered the venue.

The delay came at an inopportune moment, right after Magnolia had closed the third quarter on an 8-0 run to grab a 71-70 lead. Instead of losing steam, the Hotshots picked up exactly where they left off, exploding for a 19-4 run to open the fourth and build a commanding 90-75 cushion.

“I reminded them whoever comes out of this long break na aggressive, whoever gets momentum through (defensive) stops, may malaking chance ma makuha ang laro,” Tenorio said.

“I was actually worried because we had a good run at the end of third and all of a sudden, nag-stop. Akala ko our momentum will also stop, but my players responded, not only in the fourth quarter (play resumption) but the entire game,” he added.

Buffen, Sangalang Lead Fourth-Quarter Onslaught

KJ Buffen powered the Hotshots with a game-high 27 points, while Jerom Lastimosa added 17 and Ian Sangalang chipped in a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. Lastimosa and Sangalang combined for 17 points during Magnolia’s decisive 34-18 fourth-quarter bombardment that put the game away.

“Sobrang tagal talaga ng delay, parang natuyo na kami. Pinag-usapan namin na kailangang buhayin namin sarili namin going to the fourth. Pinush talaga namin sarili namin kasi gusto naming manalo talaga,” Sangalang said.

Antonio Hester led all Meralco scorers with 24 points, while Jason Brickman poured in 19, going 5-of-9 from beyond the arc in his first game back after missing two contests with the flu.