For LA Tenorio, Magnolia’s opening-game defeat in the PBA Governors’ Cup was about more than just the final score. It was a reminder of a problem the Hotshots have yet to solve.
Magnolia stumbled to a 98-86 loss against the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Saturday night, wasting a promising first-half performance before fading after the break in its debut in the season-ending conference.
The setback immediately brought back memories of the team’s previous campaign, where Magnolia often found itself digging out of early deficits. Tenorio believed those experiences should have already shaped the team’s mindset entering a new tournament.
“Of course, it’s only the first game. But we have to learn from the last conference na lagi kaming naghahabol,” Tenorio said.
Instead, the Hotshots followed a familiar script. After taking a halftime lead, Magnolia lost control in the third quarter as Phoenix seized the momentum and never looked back, forcing the Hotshots into another unsuccessful comeback attempt.
Tenorio was visibly disappointed with how his team approached the second half, believing Magnolia lost its edge once the game tightened.
“Nung simula na ng laro, champion na kami. Pag sa simula lang ng laro kami magaling,” Tenorio said after the game.
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The coach also refused to pin the defeat on the early foul trouble of import KJ Buffen, who finished with 15 points.
While Buffen’s limited availability affected Magnolia’s rotation, Tenorio insisted the team should have responded better instead of becoming too dependent on its reinforcement.
“We can’t rely on our import all the time. If we need to play all-Filipino, then so be it. We fell into the trap na kanya-kanya,” said the Magnolia coach.
For Tenorio, the bigger concern was how Magnolia’s collective effort disappeared after halftime. He pointed to the team’s lack of energy and urgency, particularly at the start of the third quarter, when Phoenix wrestled control of the game.
“We were outhustled at the start of the third quarter,” Tenorio said. “I don’t know if we were affected by the foul trouble of our import, but it’s not an excuse.”
The opening loss puts added importance on Magnolia’s next assignment as the Hotshots try to avoid falling further behind in a competitive Group B that also features Barangay Ginebra, Meralco, and Rain or Shine.
Magnolia will look to regroup on Friday when it faces Blackwater at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Bossing head into the matchup with momentum after pulling off a 131-108 upset victory over Rain or Shine, giving the Hotshots another early challenge as they search for their first win of the conference.
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