The TNT Tropang 5G and the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots are both headed to the playoffs, and a win this Sunday will bolster their momentum going into it. Will the Tropang 5G keep it going with a victory? Or, will the Hotshots disconnect TNT?

Catch this game live on Sunday,  December 21, 2025 at 5:15pm, Manila time.

TNT Tropang 5G (7-3)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jio Jalalon
  • Jordan Heading
  • Glenn Khobuntin
  • Calvin Oftana
  • Kelly Williams

The Tropang 5G will look to finish their schedule in the elimination portion of the conference strong against Magnolia. They have already picked up some steam of late, heading into the playoffs after winning games against the NLEX Road Warriors (119-110) and the Blackwater Bossing (113-96). Those wins came on the heels of consecutive losses to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (91-89) and to the San Miguel Beermen (110-95). 

Although they have clinched a ticket to the playoffs, the main motivation for the Tropang 5G this Wednesday is their chance to secure a final four spot – and the win-once advantage that comes with it in the quarterfinals. The pair of Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading has been heating up down the stretch of the elimination phase. Oftana had 25 points in the Bossing game, while Heading went off for 32 points in the victory over the Road Warriors.

Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (6-4)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Paul Lee (Questionable)
  • Rome de la Rosa
  • James Laput
  • Zavier Lucero
  • Jerom Lastimosa (Questionable)

Don’t be surprised if LA Tenorio takes the court this Sunday. Magnolia is pretty banged up in the backcourt with Jerom Lastimosa and Pau Lee down with apparent lower-body injuries. If both Lastimosa and Lee can’t give it a go, Tenorio might be forced to suit up as a playing head coach.  

The Hotshots are assured of a seat in the playoffs, but are also technically still in play for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, so that’s a major reason to expect to give a full effort in this contest. Given the news on Lastimos and Lee, Magnolia’s depth can be expected to be put to the litmus test this Sunday. The likes of Mark Barroca, Peter Alfaro and Javi Gomez de Liano could have bigger roles for the Hotshots, who would want to see their outside shooting regress to the mean after going just 5/20 from behind the arc in the loss to Rain or Shine.

Picks

Spread: Magnolia  (+3,5)
Over/Under: Under (183.0)