MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados opened their PBA Season 48 campaign with a resounding 110-102 victory over TNT on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots continued their 11-0 season in the PBA on Tour, winning the first game of the Commissioner’s Cup thanks to Tyler Bey’s efforts.

Tyler Bey delivered a strong performance as Magnolia defeated TNT, 110-102, in a battle of weakened squads.

The 25-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada native finished with 31 points and 20 rebounds, including a two-handed jam with 24.2 seconds left to clean up Ian Sangalang’s miss, which served as the fatal blow that sent the Tropang Giga to the mat for good.

The initial Magnolia import ended with 31 points and 20 rebounds to help his club dominate in a game that they led by as many as 19 points at one point.

With 24.2 seconds remaining, Bey clinched the match with a follow-up smash.

“This guy was banged up for the whole game, but he kept playing hard,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said of Bey.

For the Hotshots, Mark Barroca had 19 points and Paul Lee had 17.

Quincy Miller, TNT’s import while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is out with an injury, had 37 points and 14 rebounds for the Tropang Giga, while Calvin Oftana contributed 28 points.

Magnolia led 100-81 when TNT staged a stunning comeback led by Oftana, who scored eight points in the fourth quarter.

As happy as he was with the victory, Victolero would like to see greater consistency from his horses, particularly in preserving large leads.

Fortunately, for them, Bey was present to prevent any collapse following his massive jam, eventually determining the final score.

Calvin Oftana added 28 points to ignite the Tropa’s fourth-quarter comeback. Kelly Williams contributed 14 points in the loss.

The Scores

• Magnolia 110 – Bey 31, Barroca 19, Lee 17, Dionisio 9, Sangalang 9, Dela Rosa 8, Laput 8, Jalalon 5, Ahanmisi 4, Tratter 0, Eriobu 0.
• TNT 102 – Miller 37, Oftana 28, K.Williams 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Castro 5, Cruz 5, Ponferrada 3, Aurin 0, Reyes 0, Tungcab 0, Heruela 0.

Quarter scores: 26-16; 56-49; 81-73; 110-102