Magnolia flattened Barangay Ginebra, 112-93, on Sunday, Oct. 11, to sweep the Manila Clasico series and book a place in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals. The Hotshots delivered the knockout at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for their fifth straight win.

Coach LA Tenorio’s squad is the hottest team in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup. Magnolia also won the first Group B meeting with Ginebra, 88-73, on Aug. 2.

Magnolia Hotshots Sweep Barangay Ginebra in Manila Clasico

At 6-3, Magnolia leads the group and is assured of a spot in the Magic 4. Its last game is against second-running Rain or Shine (4-3) on Oct. 21.

“We really focused on defending the execution of Ginebra,” said Tenorio. Magnolia limited the Gin Kings to 38.2 percent shooting from the field while hitting 50.6 percent of its own attempts.

Tenorio then shared his message to the team. “I was watching their game against Rain or Shine and I told the team that the Ginebra I saw there was the Ginebra I saw whenever they’re playing in the championship. They’re scary.”

“So I challenged the players against this disciplined, well-coached team, and they responded,” Tenorio added. Magnolia answered that challenge on both ends of the floor.

Zavier Lucero led a balanced Magnolia attack with 21 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals. Six Hotshots finished in double figures.

Jerom Lastimosa added 16 points and Mark Barroca 15, while import KJ Buffen finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Peter Alfaro scored 12 and Ian Sangalang added 10.

Ginebra Slips Out of Governors’ Cup Top 4

The defeat halted the Gin Kings’ momentum from a 129-111 demolition of Rain or Shine two nights earlier. It also hurt their push for a playoff spot.

Ginebra fell to 3-5 and sits in fifth place, outside the Top 4 cutline behind idle Blackwater (3-4). Magnolia, meanwhile, remains the pacesetter in the group.

Jordan Murphy paced Ginebra with 18 points and seven rebounds. He had a dominant 30-13 output in his debut against Rain or Shine.