THE long wait for Magnolia fans ended when the Hotshots captured the final jewel of the 2018 season, ending a four-year dry spell. That enabled the storied franchise to regain its status as one of the top teams in the PBA.
Paul Lee wins first-ever BPC
For the first time in a seven-year career, Lee finally captured the Best Player of the Conference award during the Hotshots' run to the Governors’ Cup championshi in his second season with Magnolia after he was traded to the Hotshots from Rain or Shine for James Yap in 2016.
Hotshots reach Philippine Cup finals
Magnolia reached the finals for the first time since the Tim Cone era in the Philippine Cup. Buoyed by a five-game winning streak, the Hotshots finished second at the end of the eliminations and beat GlobalPort and NLEX en route to the finals. Magnolia, though, bowed to San Miguel in five games.
Romeo Travis hits 50 in close-out game
In one of the most memorable performances by an import in 2018, Romeo Travis scored 50 points last November 16 in a 112-108 close-out win over Barangay Ginebra. Travis achieved the milestone while dealing with a hamstring injury so severe that management even considered bringing in Ben Mbala as a replacement import.
Import changes in Commissioner’s Cup
It wasn’t all bright for the Hotshots during the 2018 season as the Hotshots finished seventh in the Commissioner’s Cup eliminations while bringing in a grand total of four imports, to litle success. The Hotshots ended up missing the semifinals of that conference.
Magnolia claims Governors’ Cup crown
The Hotshots ended a four-year title drought by capturing the Governors’ Cup title. They beat Alaska, 102-86, last December 19 to cap the title run at the Ynares Center, with Mark Barroca being adjudged as the Finals MVP. It was the first title for Magnolia since San Mig Coffee captured a Grand Slam in 2014.
GRADE: A+
Magnolia has returned to its glory days after coming up with one title and two finals appearances in 2018.
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