Magnolia has suddenly caught fire — and now the Hotshots have a score to settle.
Riding the momentum of back-to-back statement victories, Magnolia gets another crack at Phoenix Super LPG on Wednesday night, looking to avenge a painful opening-day defeat while tightening its grip on a coveted playoff spot in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
The Hotshots and Fuel Masters collide at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo in a high-stakes Group B rematch that could shake up the race for the Top Four.
Phoenix enters the showdown still sharing the group lead with Rain or Shine at 4-2, but the Fuel Masters have shown signs of vulnerability after dropping two of their last three games, including losses to the Elasto Painters, 105-98, and Blackwater, 106-100.
Magnolia, meanwhile, appears to be surging at exactly the right time.
After stumbling through the early part of the conference — including a 98-86 loss to Phoenix in its opener — the Hotshots have rediscovered their bite.
Coach LA Tenorio’s squad stunned Barangay Ginebra, 88-73, before dismantling Meralco, 105-88, to climb back into serious contention at 3-3, tied with Blackwater for third place.
Suddenly, a team that looked in danger of slipping out of the playoff picture is knocking on the door of the group leaders.
“The past three games, we’ve been really in a playoff mentality already,” Tenorio said after the Meralco victory.
The Magnolia coach admitted the urgency inside the camp has been real, knowing another pair of setbacks could have severely damaged their postseason hopes.
“Two more losses could have sent us packing,” Tenorio said.
What has impressed him most, however, is how his players responded to the pressure.
“They really responded well, not only in the games, but in practice. They’re really locked in, they’re buying in the system na gusto kong iparating sa team,” he said.
That commitment will be tested again against a Phoenix squad that already knows how to hurt Magnolia.
In their first meeting on July 11 at Ynares Montalban, BJ Johnson introduced himself to the PBA in devastating fashion, exploding for 34 points and 10 rebounds as Phoenix spoiled the debut of Magnolia reinforcement KJ Buffen.
The Fuel Masters turned a relatively close contest into a convincing victory behind Johnson and Jason Perkins, whose fourth-quarter surge helped Phoenix pull away.
But this Magnolia team looks considerably more dangerous now.
With its veteran core settling into Tenorio’s system and confidence rising after victories over two heavyweight opponents, the Hotshots enter Wednesday’s showdown believing they can return the favor.
Phoenix has plenty at stake, too.
Another victory would not only complete a sweep of Magnolia in group play but also strengthen the Fuel Masters’ position atop Group B at a time when Rain or Shine and several chasing teams remain within striking distance.
For Magnolia, however, this one carries extra motivation.
The Hotshots were embarrassed in their first encounter.
Now they’re hotter, hungrier — and coming for payback.
Phoenix wants another win. Magnolia wants revenge.
Something has to give in Antipolo.
