MANILA, Philippines – Now that the Hotshots are in the second fifty percent of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round with a perfect record, MAGNOLIA is the target of everyone’s attention.

“Most teams are motivated to defeat us because we are the target right now,” Hotshots coach Chito Victolero stated prior to his team’s Sunday encounter at the PhilSports Arena against San Miguel Beer.

Victolero needs to be encouraging his chargers to perform even better, especially with an SMB team eager to get back on track after a humiliating loss to a rival NorthPort team devoid of imports on Friday.

The NorthPort Batang Pier pulled off a stunning surprise by ambushing the San Miguel Beermen and winning by a commanding 115 to 101. Interestingly, they were able to make use of their depth to offset the loss of important player Venky Jois. The absence of June Mar Fajardo, Terrence Romeo, Jeron Teng, Vic Manuel, and Kyt Jimenez was a serious setback for the Beermen.

The Beermen should take immediate action to turn around their situation and stop the league standings from dropping any further in light of this crushing loss. With a 3–2 record right now, the Beermen are now in sixth place, which makes sense given their previous victory over the NLEX Road Warriors.

Conversely, the Magnolia Hotshots persist in their unstoppable streak, topping the league with a flawless 6 to 0 record. This puts them in a prime position to make the Top 4, where they will have the desired twice-to-beat advantage in the forthcoming quarterfinals. Driven by their formidable momentum, the Hotshots hope to continue their winning ways and establish themselves as one of the league’s elite teams.

The Magnolia Hotshots maintained their unblemished record with a decisive victory over the Blackwater Bossing, a resounding demonstration of ability and togetherness. Their sixth straight victory demonstrated their supremacy going into the future quarters as well as during the preseason.

The Hotshots’ 35–19 victory over the Bossing in the fourth quarter proved to be the game’s turning point. Tyler Bey, who has been a constant factor in their wins, demonstrated his abilities once more with an incredible double-double. In addition to his remarkable 22 rebounds and 26 points, Bey also had three assists, one steal, one block, and six turnovers. His explosive on-court presence has grown to be essential to the Hotshots’ success.

Equally important was the support of the local players, with Paul Lee leading the way with 19 points. Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang, and Mark Barroca also made noteworthy efforts, each bringing ten points to the scoreboard. The team’s cooperative effort, which is a major factor in their regular wins, is reflected in their balanced scoring.

Coach Victolero’s Hotshots have not only successfully continued their preseason winning streak, but they have done so with convincing style. Their outstanding performance and strategic gaming position them as strong competitors in the upcoming challenges as they approach the quarterfinals. Their pursuit of victory in the ongoing competition is further strengthened by the team’s collective support, which comes from both the core members and the wider roster.