Tenorio, Hotshots try to figure out how to keep the music playing
After steering Magnolia into one of the strong starts in the PBA Philippine Cup, coach LA Tenorio made it clear that he wants a different endgame for the hard-luck squad he inherited this season.
“Hopefully, we can write a different story this conference,” Tenorio said after collecting four wins in his five games in charge of the Hotshots.
Magnolia has been notorious for blazing starts that fizzle into unceremonious exits, gaining the nickname “Introvoys” from fans on social media.
Tenorio hopes to get another step or two in changing that this weekend as Magnolia visits Ynares Center II in Rodriguez, Rizal, twice for a pair of crack matches that will test its resolve in the all-Filipino tournament.
The Hotshots kick off that two-game swing on Friday at 7:30 p.m. when they take on the San Miguel Beermen, who are on a roll thanks to three straight victories that corrected an alarming 0-2 start to their defense of the crown.
Magnolia returns to the town informally known as Montalban two days later for a 4 p.m meeting with TNT, which shares its 4-1 record and will also be playing in Friday’s opener.
TNT’s foe for the 5 p.m game is lowly Terrafirma, which sits at 1–4 but can pose a threat if the opportunity presents itself.
The Tropang 5G are coming off a 23–point comeback in a 100-98 win over the Meralco Bolts nine days ago in Antipolo, with PBA Press Corps Player of the Week Rey Nambatac completing his lead role with a game-winning jumper.
Both Magnolia and TNT are tied for second, trailing only Rain or Shine, which took the solo lead by way of Wednesday’s 91-80 triumph over tailender Phoenix at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Elasto Painters now hold a 5-1 record, but the win was dampened by the loss of center Keith Datu, who is out for the season with a rupture of his right patellar tendon following a rough fall in the third quarter.
Datu had been doing well for Rain or Shine, with averages of 10 points, six rebounds and one block per contest and his absence will surely be a stinger for coach Yeng Guiao.
Guiao is also dealing with the injuries of Stanley Pringle and Caelan Tiongson that forced the two to miss a stretch of the ongoing campaign. Despite that, the Elasto Painters have won their last four.
“We’re just finding ways,” said Guiao as Rain or Shine will return to action on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo against NLEx at 7:30 p.m.
The opener of the Saturday twin bill pits Converge, seeking to bounce back from losing to San Miguel, opposite Blackwater at 5 p.m.
