ANTIPOLO — Magnolia found the perfect way to head into the long PBA break: with revenge, momentum and two scorching-hot scorers.
KJ Buffen and Jerom Lastimosa put together career nights as the Hotshots overwhelmed Phoenix Super LPG, 115-101, Wednesday at the Ynares Center Antipolo, extending their winning streak to three games in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
Buffen erupted for 35 points, his best performance in the league, while Lastimosa matched the occasion with a career-high 30 as Magnolia avenged its 98-86 defeat to Phoenix in their first meeting.
Together, they gave the Fuel Masters problems all night — and delivered their biggest blows when the game was on the line.
Phoenix had erased an 11-point halftime deficit and surged ahead, 84-82, after a huge third quarter.
But Magnolia refused to buckle.
The Hotshots turned the fourth period into their own personal highlight reel, outscoring Phoenix 33-17 behind the relentless attacks of Buffen and Lastimosa.
By the time the Fuel Masters found answers, the game had already slipped away.
The victory improved Magnolia to 4-3, pulling the Hotshots into a tie with Phoenix for second place in Group B and keeping them within striking distance of leader Rain or Shine at 4-2.
It was another major step forward for a Magnolia squad that opened the conference with a 1-3 record but has since transformed into one of the league’s hottest teams.
Veteran guard Mark Barroca played a key role in keeping the Hotshots steady, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Ian Sangalang contributed 10 points and six boards, while Zav Lucero grabbed 10 rebounds to go with nine points.
But the night belonged to Buffen and Lastimosa.
The pair accounted for more than half of Magnolia’s total output, repeatedly breaking down the Phoenix defense and carrying the Hotshots through the decisive stretch.
Magnolia coach LA Tenorio was particularly pleased with how his players handled adversity after the Fuel Masters stormed back in the third.
“The guys responded after the third quarter. Usually, kapag nagkaka-run ang kalaban namin, we got deflated at natataranta. Today, they stayed positive,” Tenorio said.
That response was exactly what Magnolia needed.
After building a 60-49 halftime cushion, the Hotshots watched Phoenix explode for 35 points in the third quarter to regain the lead.
Instead of losing control, Magnolia answered with its best basketball of the evening.
Tenorio admitted the timing of the lengthy league stoppage was unfortunate considering how well his team has been playing.
“Too bad we’re taking a break for nine weeks, sayang yung momentum namin. Nandoon na sana ang rhythm,” he said. “Pero mahalaga ito sa amin. We need this win before the break.”
Lastimosa, meanwhile, credited his breakout performance to staying within Magnolia’s system and absorbing Tenorio’s constant guidance.
“Nag-stick to the system lang kami,” Lastimosa said.
“Good for me, tinututukan ako ng coach namin, and I didn’t take it for granted. Pinanghahawakan ko yung sinasabi niya.”
Phoenix import BJ Johnson produced a monster 37-point performance, but even that was not enough to prevent the Fuel Masters from absorbing their second straight setback.
Ricci Rivero added 16 points, while Kenneth Tuffin and Ken Ballungay scored 12 apiece. Aljun Mamuyac chipped in 10.
For the second straight game, however, Phoenix’s offense deserted it in the final quarter.
The Fuel Masters managed just 17 points in the fourth against Magnolia after being held to only 14 in the same period in their previous loss to Blackwater.
That late-game weakness proved costly again.
Magnolia, on the other hand, heads into the nine-week break with its confidence soaring.
From a struggling 1-3 squad, the Hotshots have suddenly become a serious threat in Group B — and with Buffen and Lastimosa showing they can take over games, Magnolia may be finding its best basketball at exactly the right time.
The Scores:
Magnolia 115 — Buffen 35, Lastimosa 30, Barroca 21, Sangalang 10, Lucero 9, Andrada 5, Alfaro 3, Dela Rosa 2, Jopia 0, Lee 0, Koon 0.
Phoenix 101 — Johnson 37, Rivero 16, Tuffin 12, Ballungay 12, Mamuyac 10, Tio 7, Santos 3, Escandor 2, Chua 2, Perkins 0, Delos Santos 0, Reavis 0.
Quarters: 28-33, 60-49, 82-84, 115-101.
