Magnolia too hot for Titan Ultra

MANILA, Philippines -- Defense has been the emphasis of the Magnolia Hotshots this season. 

But on Wednesday, it was the team’s offense that was on full display as the squad waxed hot against the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, 135-98, in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup clash.

The game also saw 14 Hotshots scoring at least a field goal in the crucial win against the also-ran Giant Risers. 

After the game, Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio said the team has been focusing on their defense in the past games. 

But contests like Wednesday’s – where the Hotshots made 55.8% of their field goal attempts – show what they are capable of on the other end of the floor. 

“Actually, we were struggling offensively because I always emphasize on playing defense on this team. So, we got that on our end, the defense, and now we have to fix our offense,” Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio told reporters after the game. 

“I'm not worried about our point production sa team namin because in any given time, in any given night, every player sa team namin can really score. Just like now, we scored 135. I don't remember sa career ko na as playing and now, coaching, scoring 135. So it just shows that we're capable as a team to score also,” he added. 

Clint Chapman powered Magnolia with 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists to go with three blocks. Zav Lucero chipped in 19 markers and eight boards, while Javi Gomez-de Liano produced 18 points off the bench. 

“With the past games kasi I'm really emphasizing the defense. So maybe now we have to combine and pagsamahin namin yung defense to offense,” Tenorio said of the game, where they turned a slim 27-21 lead at the end of the first to a 61-41 advantage at the half. 

Their lead grew to as much as 37 points, which is the spread at the end of the game. 

The Hotshots also gave themselves a strong push for the playoffs as they rose to a 5-5 win-loss record, just ahead of the eight-seeded San Miguel Beermen. 

It also placed the Hotshots back to the win column after suffering a 91-82 defeat against Rain or Shine the last time around. 

“Well, I challenged my players, I challenged the team. It's really a test of character for us in today's game on how we bounce back for that kind of loss. It was a big blow for us. It was a big loss for us. And dito namin makikita na so far it's a do or die game sa amin na every game,” the coach stressed. 

“Dito natin makikita kung gaano kami to have that sense of urgency and to have that really focus and discipline sa lahat ng ginagawa namin. Lahat ng mga pinagandaan namin for the past conferences, ito na yun. Ito yung kailangan namin i-labas yun lahat. So, yeah, it's a good win for us.” 

Jerom Lastimosa and Yukien Andrada added 16 and 11 points, respectively, for Magnolia, which also made 11 of their 28 attempts from deep. 

Titan Ultra, meanwhile, dropped to 2-8 in the import-laden conference.