Hotshots Seek Momentum and Aim for Streak Against Gin Kings

The two teams that kicked off the PBA's golden season will meet again tonight as the league celebrates its 51st anniversary, with Magnolia taking on Ginebra in the Season 50 Commissioner's Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Tip-off for this latest Manila Clasico is at 7:30 p.m., with the Hotshots aiming not only to repeat their victory over the Kings from October 5, but also to extend their winning streak following a rough 0-3 start to the midseason.

Coach LA Tenorio’s squad is riding a two-game win streak, having recently beaten a struggling Macau and Terrafirma, with import Clint Chapman playing a key role in both victories.

This momentum is vital as Magnolia heads into the intense rivalry match against the fan-favorite Kings. However, Tenorio remains cautious, knowing Ginebra is eager to bounce back after a tough loss.

Ginebra is coming off a painful 85-82 defeat to San Miguel Beer, where they squandered a 15-point lead, losing in the final moments due to a clutch Don Trollano three-pointer with just eight seconds left.

"I know Ginebra will be ready after the tough loss last game. I trust Coach Tim will have his team prepared for Friday’s game," Tenorio remarked.

The odds are stacked against Magnolia, as Ginebra, with a 2-2 record, is favored by -4.5 points according to the Casino Plus sportsbook, with the over/under set at 195 total points.

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However, the Hotshots are determined not to get distracted by the Clasico hype. Instead, they’re focused on improving after a challenging start to the season, having lost to Phoenix, NLEX, and Blackwater.

“Manila Clasico is a big deal for the PBA and the fans, but as a team, we’re focusing on what we need to improve on,” Tenorio said, as Magnolia currently sits at 2-3 in the standings.

In the earlier game of the double-header, Rain or Shine will face Converge at 5:15 p.m. in another battle between two independent teams.

Rain or Shine comes in as the -3.0 favorite, with the over/under set at 217 points according to the TigerScore sportsbook.

Their strong start is well deserved. Under Coach Yeng Guiao, the Elasto Painters are undefeated at 5-0, their best start in franchise history, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III. Their most recent win came just 48 hours ago against San Miguel Beer, a thrilling 116-112 victory where they nearly lost a 25-point lead but held on for the win.

“We got lucky. Let’s see how far our luck takes us,” Guiao said, as the team now looks to win at least two more games to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

On the other hand, Converge is struggling with a four-game losing streak. Their most recent defeat came against Ginebra, 93-99, before the Lenten break, where they faltered late in the game, with RJ Abarrientos and Justin Brownlee sealing the win for the Barangay.

Despite Converge's 1-4 record, Guiao isn’t taking them lightly.

“Converge is a tough opponent. I think their 1-4 record doesn’t reflect how strong they are,” he said. “They’re just waiting for the right moment; once they gel, they’ll be hard to beat with that lineup.”