There’s something different with these Magnolia Hotshots. 

Perhaps it’s LA Tenorio, the Hotshots’ new head coach, who has laid down a new system and breathed new life into Magnolia. Maybe it’s the Hotshots being a more experienced bunch, as newer players such as Zavier Lucero, James Laput, and Jerom Lastimosa entered PBA Season 50 much wiser than this time last year. This doesn’t even include the likes of Javi Gomez De Liano and recent acquisition Chris Koon, both of whom are slowly finding their way with the team. It’s also possible that Magnolia veterans Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee, and Rome Dela Rosa are playing with some new energy thanks to the new season and a new mentor. 

Or it could be a combination of all three. 

The Hotshots remain deliberate with their ball movement, but the passing has been more crisp. Rather than forcing the ball in places that could stagnate the offense, Magnolia has made an effort to draw out the defense, find new passing lanes, and execute. It seems like an easy process, one that teams exhibit in various ways, with the Hotshots’ movements drawing parallels to the principles of the triangle offense of Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone. But Magnolia has been more patient, and when done that way, new passing angles appear and the Hotshots offense moves with a better flow. 

With that, Magnolia has been able to keep the offense balanced. Pore over the PBA stats (when its website permits) and you may notice that it takes three seconds before you find your first Hotshots player. It’s not for the lack of offense, but it’s the product of having seven players scoring at least a little over seven points per game, with four of those players averaging around at least 10 points a game. Magnolia can expect offense from almost anyone on their roster, but it also speaks to the ability of the Hotshots players to adjust. 

Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang were the main men for Magnolia for a long time, but their roles have changed. However, that doesn’t mean they are now given bit roles; rather they are put in positions that allow them to age gracefully. This has also allowed the likes of Lucero and Lastimosa to take on larger roles, with the latter being the Hotshots’ best player through five games. 

The former Adamson Soaring Falcon looks to have fully recovered from his torn ACL and has become a fixture in Tenorio’s rotation. Lastimosa has been able to lead the team in scoring despite being relatively undersized and his talent has been key to him adjusting to how defenses are now approaching him. 

Good health should allow Lastimosa to get better, but then again, health is something Magnolia needs in order to get over the hump. The Hotshots are currently 4-1 and atop the standings, but history has shown that things can change quickly for Magnolia. An injury to a key player here or there has derailed a number of their campaigns and even with a balanced lineup, they would need to be at full strength to beat the likes of the Gin Kings, San Miguel Beermen, and the TNT Tropang 5G, who will likely peak once the preliminary round ends.  

They say comfort is the enemy of progress, but it seems that the ease with which the Magnolia Hotshots have had in PBA Season 50 has helped them make strides in this season’s Philippine Cup. Stability within the roster has been a key factor and everyone settling in their roles has allowed them to thrive and health be willing, this could be a dawn of a new era for the Hotshots.