SPORTS
Advocates Philippines
Magnolia Turns Up The Heat, Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive With Blowout Win
Photo credit: PBA
No slow start, no second-guessing—Magnolia Hotshots came out with urgency and never looked back, crushing Titan Ultra, 135-98, to keep their playoff hopes alive in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday.
From the opening buzzer, Magnolia set the tone. And this time, they made sure there would be no comeback story for their opponents.
Leading the charge was Clint Chapman, who bounced back in a big way after a quiet outing in their previous game. He dropped 31 points, anchoring a well-balanced offensive attack that simply overwhelmed Titan, especially in the middle quarters where the game was essentially decided.
The win couldn’t have come at a better time. Magnolia was coming off a tough loss to Rain or Shine, and head coach LA Tenorio made it clear they needed a response—and fast.
Tenorio said he challenged his players to show character after that setback, calling the matchup a true test of how the team would bounce back. For him, every game now feels like do-or-die, with urgency, focus, and discipline becoming non-negotiables.
Magnolia delivered exactly that.
With the victory, the Hotshots improved to a 5-5 record, climbing back into seventh place as they head into their final elimination games against TNT on May 5 and Meralco on May 10. The mindset is simple: treat every remaining game like a playoff.
On the other side, things continue to spiral for Titan. The loss marked their fifth straight, dropping them to 2-8 and effectively ending their chances of making it into the top eight. Even if they win their remaining games, the numbers—and previous losses—aren’t in their favor anymore.
Earl Michael Gilmore tried to carry the fight for Titan with 31 points and 14 rebounds, while Joshua Munzon added 24 points and four steals. Jerrick Balanza chipped in 12, but they simply didn’t have enough to match Magnolia’s firepower.
Because Magnolia wasn’t just relying on one man.
Zav Lucero scored 19, Javi Gomez de Liano knocked down three triples on his way to 18 points, while Jerom Lastimosa added 16 points and six assists. Yukien Andrada contributed 11, and even with just five points, Mark Barroca made his presence felt with 11 rebounds and seven assists.
The turning point came in the second and third quarters, where Magnolia outscored Titan, 72-54, blowing the game wide open and building a massive lead heading into the final period.
Titan tried to respond, but Magnolia had already taken full control—stretching the lead to as much as 38 points before sealing the dominant win.
For Magnolia, it’s a big step forward—but as Tenorio pointed out, the job is far from done.
From the opening buzzer, Magnolia set the tone. And this time, they made sure there would be no comeback story for their opponents.
Leading the charge was Clint Chapman, who bounced back in a big way after a quiet outing in their previous game. He dropped 31 points, anchoring a well-balanced offensive attack that simply overwhelmed Titan, especially in the middle quarters where the game was essentially decided.
The win couldn’t have come at a better time. Magnolia was coming off a tough loss to Rain or Shine, and head coach LA Tenorio made it clear they needed a response—and fast.
Tenorio said he challenged his players to show character after that setback, calling the matchup a true test of how the team would bounce back. For him, every game now feels like do-or-die, with urgency, focus, and discipline becoming non-negotiables.
Magnolia delivered exactly that.
With the victory, the Hotshots improved to a 5-5 record, climbing back into seventh place as they head into their final elimination games against TNT on May 5 and Meralco on May 10. The mindset is simple: treat every remaining game like a playoff.
On the other side, things continue to spiral for Titan. The loss marked their fifth straight, dropping them to 2-8 and effectively ending their chances of making it into the top eight. Even if they win their remaining games, the numbers—and previous losses—aren’t in their favor anymore.
Earl Michael Gilmore tried to carry the fight for Titan with 31 points and 14 rebounds, while Joshua Munzon added 24 points and four steals. Jerrick Balanza chipped in 12, but they simply didn’t have enough to match Magnolia’s firepower.
Because Magnolia wasn’t just relying on one man.
Zav Lucero scored 19, Javi Gomez de Liano knocked down three triples on his way to 18 points, while Jerom Lastimosa added 16 points and six assists. Yukien Andrada contributed 11, and even with just five points, Mark Barroca made his presence felt with 11 rebounds and seven assists.
The turning point came in the second and third quarters, where Magnolia outscored Titan, 72-54, blowing the game wide open and building a massive lead heading into the final period.
Titan tried to respond, but Magnolia had already taken full control—stretching the lead to as much as 38 points before sealing the dominant win.
For Magnolia, it’s a big step forward—but as Tenorio pointed out, the job is far from done.
Apr 30, 2026
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