PBA Analysis: Magnolia is undefeated in the preseason! Are they LEGIT championship contender?

 Magnolia completed a successful sweep of the PBA on Tour with a hard-fought 106-92 win against Terrafirma at San Juan Arena. The Hotshots, under Coach Chito Victolero, won all 11 of their preseason games, and their victory against Terrafirma was no exception to the physicality they encountered throughout the tour. Despite the tough battle, Magnolia came out victorious, thanks to Joseph Eriobu's clutch performance in the final quarter, where he scored nine of his 15 points.

Coach Victolero expected the physicality, as he had observed Terrafirma's previous games and understood their competitive spirit. The Hotshots struggled defensively at the start, but they managed to regain control, eventually securing a commanding lead. They expressed pride in achieving their preseason goal.

For Abu Tratter, joining Magnolia after being traded by Converge felt like being surrounded by greatness. The Hotshots' practice court, located next to San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra's courts, motivated him to improve. Tratter felt that he fit better in Magnolia's system, benefiting from the support of his teammates like Paul Lee, Aris Dionisio, Mark Barroca, and Jerrick Ahanmisi.

Joseph Eriobu's outstanding performance during the preseason led Magnolia to a successful sweep of the PBA on Tour. He scored crucial points in the final quarter against Terrafirma and earned the Player of the Game award for the first time in his pro career. Eriobu's goal is to secure a spot in Magnolia's regular 5-on-5 lineup, and his impressive numbers and positive attitude may just help him achieve that. Playing in the 3x3 format was beneficial for him, leading the Purefoods Titans to several leg titles in the PBA and representing the national team in international competitions. Eriobu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the country and bring home medals.

But at the end of the day, the most crucial question is, are they a legit championship contender?

I am not really sure. There is a good argument that they are the most cohesive unit in the entire league. Unfortunately, their talent level is still far from the elite teams.