The Magnolia Hotshots gave their fans an exciting late-season run, but their early playoff exit against Northport Batang Pier exposed glaring roster concerns that can no longer be ignored. Coach Chito Victolero remained proud of his team’s effort, especially after they clawed their way back into the playoff picture, but at the end of the day, falling short in the quarterfinals is not where this franchise expects to be. This brings up the question: how many changes does Magnolia really need? The answer is at least two trades.
For years, Magnolia has relied on its veteran core to stay competitive. Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva, and Rome Dela Rosa have all played major roles in keeping the Hotshots in contention. However, this core is aging, and while their experience is valuable, the league is getting younger, faster, and more dynamic. Magnolia has reached a point where they need to start reshaping their roster.
One clear issue is their reliance on aging stars. Paul Lee remains one of the most dangerous clutch shooters in the PBA, but injuries and wear and tear have limited his availability. Mark Barroca is still a high-level defender and floor general, but at 37 years old, how much longer can he keep up with the younger, more athletic guards in the league? Calvin Abueva is an energy guy who brings toughness, but he has also dealt with injuries and inconsistencies. Ian Sangalang was once viewed as the team’s future cornerstone big man, but he has struggled to maintain that status after health setbacks. Rome Dela Rosa is a glue guy, but his offensive limitations have made it difficult for Magnolia to maximize its scoring potential.
A roster overhaul doesn’t mean breaking up the entire core, but at least two trades should be made. Whether it’s moving Lee for a younger wing, Barroca for a promising guard, or Sangalang for a more athletic big, Magnolia has pieces that can be used to acquire fresh talent. They don’t necessarily need to blow things up, but they do need to make difficult decisions to ensure the team stays competitive in the long run.
Looking at the PBA landscape, teams like Phoenix, NLEX, and Converge are aggressively developing young talent. Meanwhile, Magnolia’s window to win another championship is slowly closing unless they inject youth into their rotation. By making at least two smart trades, the Hotshots can position themselves for both short-term competitiveness and long-term sustainability. If they fail to act, they risk becoming a middle-tier team stuck between rebuilding and contending, which is the worst place to be in the PBA.
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