LA Tenorio did not have to look far for motivation for Magnolia coming into their rivalry affair with TNT on Tuesday night.
All he had to do was revisit the previous conferences where the Hotshots got manhandled by the Tropang 5G since Chot Reyes returned. The result? Their most consistent outing yet in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
“This is the first time talaga na we executed our game plan until the end of the game,” lauded the star guard turned mentor after their 106-94 win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, which brought them closer to the quarterfinals.
Tenorio revealed that he’d challenged his men to use those past losses to fuel themselves, since the flagship MVP Group franchise has tormented the SMC ball club in recent seasons.
“I challenged them. Sinabi ko lang sa kanila, if I may say, this TNT team, malaki ang utang sa kanila, bago pa ako dumating,” said the 41-year-old.
Since Reyes made his comeback after nearly a decade, TNT has asserted dominance over Magnolia, beginning with the 2021 Philippine Cup Finals in Bacolor, Pampanga, where it won the championship via gentleman’s sweep.
The then-Tropang Giga continued to own their corporate rivals in the All-Filipino tilt as well as the following season, winning their semifinal encounter in six games to eventually settle for a runner-up finish behind San Miguel.
It would be the same story come the 2025 Philippine Cup quarterfinals. TNT overcame a twice-to-win disadvantage against the Hotshots — a result which also influenced the sacking of Chito Victolero as its chief think-tank.
Even Tenorio himself experienced the pain of losing to the same team, particularly in the Season 50 Philippine Cup QFs. There, TNT made good use of its win-once incentive and sent them packing for an early vacation.
“This TNT team beat them twice before I came, and then last conference, they eliminated us,” reflected the former Ginebra floor general.
“So ano pa bang motivation ang pwede nating makuha before going into this game?”
No doubt that it worked this time. Magnolia showed the potential it has when everyone’s on the same page, roaring to a 35-15 start then denying every comeback attempt by their foes.
Nine players, furthermore, scored at least three in the win. Clint Chapman starred with 42 points and 14 rebounds as his explosive start helped set the tone, with 18 in the opening period alone as he got in rhythm quickly.
Mark Barroca was back to his old ways with 15 points and 12 assists, while Zav Lucero made his presence felt with 13 points and eight rebounds — all while helping defend the 7-foot-3 Bol Bol, who still had 53 and 13.
Tenorio couldn’t be happier with his Hotshots, who are now on a two-game winning streak.
“Yung mga ibang games namin, there were mistakes here and there, bad decision-making, whether it’s on offense or defense. But this time around, they were focused,” he said.
“They responded. Especially my vets.”
