The Magnolia Hotshots are in a somewhat unique situation—they have to beat the same team, the Meralco Bolts, three times if they want to make it to the semis for the first time since the 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup, won—perhaps ironically—by Meralco.
Magnolia got itself into this predicament thanks to a horrid 0-3 start that had LA Tenorio and company scrambling. The Hotshots eventually found their footing, so much so that they nearly had a chance to climb as high as No. 4 and secure the final win-once edge.
Magnolia’s Three-Win Situation
The scenarios, however, didn’t favor Magnolia, leaving the team in a precarious spot: lose to Meralco and slide down to sixth or seventh—or maybe even eighth. Beating the Bolts, in turn, meant facing them again in the quarterfinals with a twice-to-win disadvantage.
Tenorio is not the least bit fazed by it. In fact, from the sound of it, Tinyente is all but telling Meralco to bring it on.
“We have to beat them three times, basically,” Tenorio said after Magnolia beat Meralco. “Naka-isa na kami. So, kailangan pa namin talunin ng dalawa. The way we’re playing, I’m really confident with how my players and my team are playing right now. The way they played, they have that sense of urgency that this is already the playoffs.”
Tenorio has every right to be confident. His Hotshots have won seven of their last nine games and are entering the quarters on a three-game winning streak that includes the victory over Meralco and a statement dismantling of the TNT Tropang 5G.
‘We’ll Be Ready,’ Says Tenorio
Magnolia will try to get the second of the three wins they need against Meralco on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. And for Tenorio, it’s as good a gauge as any of where the Hotshots stand as a team.
“Tingnan natin kung nasaan na talaga yung team namin,” he said. “But we’ll be ready definitely.”
They better be—they have no room for error.
