Magnolia disconnects TNT to boost PBA playoff bid

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados hacked out a morale-boosting win over the TNT Tropang 5G, 106-94, and increased their chances of entering the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs on May 5, 2026, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Entering the crucial game with a 5-5 win-loss record, the Chicken Timplados overtook the San Miguel Beermen’s spot, moving to joint sixth place with TNT after racking up their second consecutive dub.

Magnolia’s import, Clint Chapman, steered the team to a red-hot start, firing 18 first-quarter points to help the Chicken Timplados blow the game wide open with a 35-15 lead.

Chapman went unconscious from downtown, torching the Tropang 5G with three triples generated from a series of pick-and-pop plays orchestrated by Mark Barroca.

After the momentum-clinching first-quarter rampage, Magnolia maintained its level of play to end the half with a commanding 19-point advantage, 59-40.

Just when Magnolia thought it could sustain feeding Chapman off the pin-downs, Bol Bol and the Tropang 5G finally woke up after stunning the Chicken Timplados with a 13-0 run in a crucial five-minute swing of the third frame.

Bol was unstoppable in the shaded lane as the former NBA prospect rammed Magnolia’s immovable wall using his craftiness, length, and athleticism.

Aside from his paint prowess, Bol also caught fire from downtown, trimming TNT’s deficit to just two points, 74-72, which drove the Tropang 5G fan base crazy after Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio called an emergency timeout.

As the game turned into a mano-a-mano affair, Magnolia pulled off its biggest adjustment of the game at the start of the fourth quarter, trapping Bol at the elbow and forcing him to go to the baseline.

With that defensive tactic, Bol had limited options after meeting Magnolia’s swarming defense on the baseline.

To make things worse for TNT, the Chicken Timplados anticipated his swing passes to the corner, resulting in several steals and a painful 7-0 scoring swing.

That single 7-0 run turned the tables in favor of Magnolia, as its two-point lead suddenly ballooned again, which TNT never equalized until the final buzzer sounded.

Chapman led Magnolia with a team-high 42 points on an efficient 17-of-28 shooting from the field, including three 3-pointers, alongside 14 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.

Barroca also stepped up during the much-needed win as the veteran floor general delivered a vintage double-double of 15 points and 12 assists, while power forward Zavier Lucero chipped in 13 markers and eight boards.

On the other hand, the Tropang 5G received a monster performance from Bol, who erupted for 53 points built on 23-of-40 shooting alongside 13 rebounds and five blocks.

However, TNT’s locals entered a cold shooting spell as no local player reached double digits in scoring, except for Calvin Oftana, who finished the loss with 18 points.

To further solidify their seat in the PBA postseason, the Chicken Timplados are looking to bag their final scheduled regular-season game against the Meralco Bolts on May 10, 2026.