Hotshots stretch streak

MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia picked up right where it left off, shrugging off a two-month break to extend its winning streak and catch up with the Group B leaders after a 107-101 revenge win over Blackwater in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Hotshots turned on the jets in the second half to pull away from the Bossing and kept their foes at bay for a fourth straight victory, improving to 5-3 in Group B.

Magnolia started the conference at 1-3, including an 89-81 meltdown against Blackwater in the first round, before stringing together a crucial run heading into the PBA break for the 20th Asian Games and Window 4 of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

KJ Buffen delivered a monstrous 24-point, 20-rebound double-double – none bigger than his personal 5-0 run in just 40 seconds that doused Blackwater’s late rally and sealed the game from a precarious 100-97 lead inside the final three minutes.

He got ample support from Jerom Lastimosa and Zavier Lucero, who added 24 and 17 points, respectively, as four other Hotshots chipped in at least seven points each. It was a follow-up to their 115-101 win over Phoenix last Aug. 5 before the break.

“I want to commend my coaching staff for taking charge of our practices nung matagal akong nawala. Parang almost one month akong nawala. The coaching staff made this team ready,” said head coach LA Tenorio, who served as among Tim Cone’s deputies for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asiad and the World Cup Qualifiers.

Rust was not an issue for either squad in the first half, with neither team leading by more than seven points in a high-scoring battle that later turned one-sided.

Behind a balanced attack, the Hotshots stretched a three-point lead into an 11-point cushion, 74-63, midway through the third quarter, and never relinquished control from there.

In the nightcap, new import Jordan Murphy (30-13-7-4) debuted in style as Ginebra (3-4) cruised to a 129-111 win over Rain or Shine.