Jerom Lastimosa powered Magnolia to a statement 115-101 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, giving the Hotshots plenty of momentum to carry into a lengthy nine-week break in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The victory marked Magnolia’s third straight win, completing an impressive turnaround after the team endured a difficult 1-4 start to the conference.
With Lastimosa earning Player of the Game honors, Magnolia once again showed the form that has allowed it to defeat several of the league’s top teams in recent outings.
However, the Hotshots now face an unusual challenge: maintaining that momentum while the PBA takes a lengthy break to make way for Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers campaign and the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya.
Lastimosa Leads Magnolia’s Charge
Lastimosa was at the center of Magnolia’s impressive offensive showing against Phoenix as the Hotshots put together a 115-point explosion.
His performance helped Magnolia maintain control of the contest while Phoenix tried to keep pace. The Hotshots’ offensive rhythm proved difficult for the Fuel Masters to contain, allowing Magnolia to finish the night with a convincing 14-point victory.
More importantly, the win continued Magnolia’s recent surge.
After starting the conference at 1-4, the Hotshots have suddenly found their rhythm and strung together three consecutive victories.
Their recent run includes impressive wins over Barangay Ginebra, Meralco, and Phoenix, giving Magnolia a much-needed boost in the standings.
Tenorio: Nine-Week Break Could Slow Momentum
While Magnolia is undoubtedly happy with the victory, head coach LA Tenorio admitted that the timing of the extended break is unfortunate.
The Hotshots were beginning to build momentum at exactly the point when the league schedule will force them to step away from competitive action.
“Too bad, magkaka-break kami ng nine weeks. So sayang yung momentum namin. Nandun na sana,” Tenorio said.
The Magnolia coach, however, understands that the extended break is beyond the team’s control.
“Sayang yung momentum na nakuha namin. But that’s beyond our control. We’ll definitely be smart about this break.”
For Magnolia, the challenge will now be making sure the nine-week layoff does not erase the progress made during its three-game winning streak.
Magnolia Finally Finds Its Rhythm
The Hotshots’ turnaround has been particularly encouraging considering how their campaign began.
Magnolia struggled to find consistency during the opening games of the Governors’ Cup, falling to a 1-4 record and putting itself under early pressure.
The team responded by putting together a three-game winning streak against quality opposition.
The victories over Ginebra, Meralco, and Phoenix showed that Magnolia can compete with strong teams when its system clicks.
Tenorio acknowledged the quality of the teams Magnolia has beaten during its recent run.
“We really beat good and strong teams. So sayang,” said Tenorio.
That makes the nine-week break even more significant.
Instead of immediately building on its current form, Magnolia will have to wait until October before returning to action.
Hotshots Face Crucial October Schedule
Magnolia’s next game is scheduled for October 9, when the Hotshots face the Blackwater Bossing.
The game will give Magnolia its first opportunity to see whether the momentum from its current winning streak can survive the extended layoff.
Following that matchup, Magnolia will face Barangay Ginebra in a Manila Clasico, adding another major test to its schedule.
The Hotshots will then close out their elimination-round campaign against Rain or Shine on October 21.
With limited games remaining after the break, every matchup could become increasingly important in the race for a playoff spot.
Tenorio Knows There Is Still Work to Do
Despite the three-game winning streak, Tenorio knows Magnolia cannot afford to become complacent.
The long break provides the coaching staff with an opportunity to evaluate the team’s strengths and weaknesses before the crucial final stretch of the conference.
“We’ll have to re-assess kung ano pa ang kailangan namin to make it to the playoffs,” Tenorio said.
That assessment could prove crucial.
Magnolia has already demonstrated that it can recover from a poor start, but the team will need to reproduce that same intensity when it returns in October.
The nine-week break can either become a setback or an opportunity.
For Tenorio and the Hotshots, the goal is to use the time wisely.
COURTESY: PBA OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Can Magnolia Keep the Momentum Alive?
The 115-101 victory over Phoenix could not have come at a better time for Magnolia from a confidence standpoint.
The Hotshots are playing their best basketball of the conference, and Jerom Lastimosa’s Player of the Game performance provided another major boost.
But with nine weeks separating Magnolia from its next PBA game, the team will have to find ways to stay sharp, healthy, and prepared.
When the Hotshots finally return on October 9, they will immediately face the pressure of continuing their playoff push.
For now, Magnolia can celebrate a third consecutive victory.
The hard part begins during the break: keeping the momentum alive until the Hotshots return to the PBA Governors’ Cup floor.
Final Score: Magnolia 115, Phoenix 101
Player of the Game: Jerom Lastimosa
Venue: Ynares Center, Antipolo
