Hotshots brace for quarters clash vs Tropang 5G boosted by returning Hollis-Jefferson, Oftana

MANILA, Philippines — After clinching the top spot of Group B of the PBA Governors’ Cup, the Magnolia Hotshots will have a tough quarterfinal matchup.

Magnolia clinched the No. 1 seed of Group B with a 107-103 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Wednesday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

As a reward, the Hotshots will be taking on defending PBA Governors’ Cup TNT Tropang 5G. 

TNT finished the group stage as the fourth seed of Group A, despite Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Calvin Oftana missing a chunk of the import-laden conference with their respective injuries. 

Despite the tall task, Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio said they are ready to face their tormentors. 

“The prize of being number one [we’ll] face TNT and RHJ. I'm not gonna lie that I'm not happy where we are right now. I'm sure yung mga players masaya kung nasaan kami,” he told reporters. 

“Of course TNT, may extra [boost] sila kasi they're very seasoned team, very, very well coached, yung experience nila ng championship. Going into the quarterfinals, we just have to be ready and we have to be up to the challenge,” he added. 

Magnolia will be facing TNT in the quarterfinals for the third time in the last four conferences. 

In their last two quarterfinal matchups, the Tropang 5G booted out Magnolia out of the playoffs.

Holding a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters, the Hotshots got swept by TNT in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. 

And in the next All-Filipino conference, it was the Tropang 5G who had the twice-to-beat advantage, which was not overcome by Magnolia. 

This time, Magnolia will be carrying a six-game winning streak into the quarterfinals. 

“Carrying the momentum, malaking bagay sa amin yun. But beating TNT, probably, it’s gonna be a big question for us. We will be ready. Of course, hindi pa namin nakakalaban this conference yun, iba rin, so iba rin ang may RHJ and a healthy Calvin Oftana na nakapagpahinga nang sobra,” he said.

“I know that guy. I know that kid. Of course, sina coaches Chot and Josh [Reyes]. I know na pahihirapan kami nun. So we have to be on point in everything we do, especially against TNT,” he added. 

He stressed that their room for error is razor-thin. 

“It's a big opportunity for us. It's a big challenge for us. It's a big challenge for me as a new coach facing a very good coach. How many times na naging coach of the year si Coach Chot. It's a big challenge for us, not only for me, but for the whole team,” he said. 

“This team beat Magnolia franchise twice to beat, twice beaten. So probably it's an extra motivation also for them. Although it's a different composition of players, but maybe it's an extra motivation,” he added. 

“We haven't been playing to our full potential. So hopefully in this quarterfinals we play our full potential together as a team, collectively.” 

Magnolia has not reached the semifinal round since barging into the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup finals.

“Katulad ng mga sinasabi ko sa players, ang pinakamahirap tawirin is yung quarterfinals. Whether twice-to-beat, advantage, disadvantage, whether best-of-three or best-of-five. Yun ang pinakamahirap na tawirin, is quarterfinals.”