Magnolia has already learned what Phoenix can do.
Now the Hotshots get a chance to show how much they have changed since that first meeting.
The two Group B contenders collide again at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, with Magnolia looking to erase the memory of its 86-98 defeat to the Fuel Masters in the conference opener.
Phoenix entered the rematch in a different position.
The Fuel Masters remain tied with Rain or Shine at the top of Group B at 4-2, but they have stumbled in two of their last three games, falling to the Elasto Painters, 98-105, before suffering a 100-106 loss to Blackwater.
Magnolia, meanwhile, has gone in the opposite direction.
After losing three of its first four games, including the opening-day setback against Phoenix, the Hotshots have finally found their rhythm. They enter Wednesday’s contest riding consecutive statement victories over Barangay Ginebra, 88-73, and Meralco, 105-88.
Those wins have pulled Magnolia back into the playoff picture at 3-3, tied with Blackwater for third place and just half a game ahead of Ginebra.
For coach LA Tenorio, the recent turnaround has been about treating every game like a playoff game.
“The past three games, we’ve been really in a playoff mentality already. I challenged the players, my team, that this kind of games, ito ang magbibigay sa amin ng chance going to the next level,” Tenorio said after the victory over Meralco.
The urgency is understandable.
“Two more losses could have sent us packing,” he admitted.
Magnolia’s response has been encouraging for Tenorio, particularly the way his players have embraced the system.
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Join us this week at Ynares, Antipolo and Smart Araneta Coliseum before we take a break! #PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/jTSnBFx4xj
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“What I really like about my team is how they responded to that challenge. They really responded well, not only in the games, but in practice… They’re really locked in, they’re buying in the system na gusto kong iparating sa team.”
That buy-in will be tested against the same Phoenix team that exposed Magnolia’s weaknesses in their first encounter.
The Fuel Masters took the opener behind a sensational debut from import BJ Johnson, who exploded for 34 points and 10 rebounds. Phoenix recovered from a slow start before Johnson and Jason Perkins ignited a 7-1 fourth-quarter run that turned a 79-71 advantage into a more comfortable lead.
This time, Magnolia knows exactly what it is facing.
The Hotshots will have to find a way to slow Johnson while preventing Perkins from providing the same complementary production that helped Phoenix seize control late in the first meeting.
But Phoenix also has questions of its own.
After starting 4-0, the Fuel Masters have lost two of their last three games, giving Magnolia a chance to capitalize on the slight dip in momentum and climb further up the Group B standings.
For Phoenix, Wednesday is an opportunity to prove its opening victory over Magnolia was more than just a strong start.
For Magnolia, it is a chance to show that the team that walked off the court that night is no longer the same one taking the floor now.
The first meeting belonged to Phoenix.
This time, Magnolia wants the last word.
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