All eyes on Magnolia

MANILA, Philippines — Minus the off-court drama and injury woes besetting heavyweights like Ginebra and TNT, an intact Magnolia views the coming PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup as an opportune time to strike.

The Hotshots go into the import-spiced tournament with a lot of confidence after sealing an 11-game sweep of the PBA On Tour during the league’s extended break.

“I’ll be a hypocrite if I say mahina ang team namin. As we have seen sa On Tour, walang nakatalo sa amin. Two teams lang ang less than 10 points ang winning margin, all others medyo naiwan namin,” said Magnolia governor Rene Pardo, whose team has been on a title drought since the 2018 Governors’ Cup.

“But this doesn’t say we’ll rest on that 11-0 run. We’ll still go after the championship na matagal na naming inaasam. 2018 pa kami huling nanalo so my instruction to the boys is championship, nothing less,” added Pardo.

The Hotshots have welcomed back Ian Sangalang after his bout with thyroid sickness, acquired Abu Tratter in a trade, elevated Joseph Eriobu from the 3x3 team and tapped former NBA player and defensive specialist Tyler Bey to join stalwarts Paul Lee, Calvin Abueva, Jio Jalalon and Marc Barroca.

The Hotshots are featured in the lone game on opening night against the Tropang Giga, who are missing RR Pogoy (heart ailment) and Poy Erram (knee) and are locked in a contract impasse with ace guard Mikey Williams.

Like Magnolia, the rest of the field is just as ready to pound after acquiring blue-chip rookies in the pre-season.

“All the teams have bolstered their lineups. All are competitive, all have chances to be in the playoffs,” said Raymond Zorrilla of Phoenix.

Ginebra may be defending its crown without Justin Brownlee, if he eventually gets suspended after testing positive for prohibited substance carboxy-THC during the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Governor Alfrancis Chua said the Gin Kings haven’t practiced as a complete group yet with coach Tim Cone, Brownlee, Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson given a 10-day break after the draining journey to the Asiad gold.

“We’ll start whole (team) practice around Oct. 24 or 25. But you know Ginebra, we’re always there fighting,” said Chua, who has