Mark Barroca, Magnolia aim to slam the door on TNT’s triple crown hopes in PBA playoffs

The Magnolia Hotshots know a thing or two about chasing history. On Wednesday, June 18, they’ll try to make sure TNT Tropang 5G don't continue writing their own.

Holding a twice-to-beat advantage as the no. 3 seed, Magnolia looks to eliminate TNT in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the PhilSports Arena.

[RELATED STORY: Winning a PBA Grand Slam? Pingris, Barroca, Reavis recall San Mig Coffee’s 2014 feat]

The match starts at 7:30 p.m., and livestream will be available on One Sports' Youtube channel. 

A win would not only send the Hotshots to the semifinals — it would also officially end TNT’s Grand Slam bid, which includes titles in this season’s Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cups.

Magnolia happens to be the last franchise to complete a Grand Slam, sweeping all three conferences in 2014. Veterans Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang, and Rafi Reavis — holdovers from that historic run — now lead a new generation of Hotshots hoping to chart their own title course.

[ALSO READ: Rafi Reavis plays extended minutes as Magnolia nips TNT for playoff bonus: 'I'm not tired’]

The Hotshots edged TNT, 88-83, in their elimination-round matchup, a victory that helped them secure the quarterfinal bonus.

Defense and discipline have defined the Hotshots' campaign, and they'll lean on those again against a retooled TNT squad now featuring Jordan Heading, who recently debuted after the team traded the rights to Mikey Williams to Converge.

With experience on their side and a shot to make a statement, the Hotshots have the tools — and the motivation — to take down a fellow championship contender.

[ALSO READ: How weekly bonding activities help Magnolia in PBA Philippine Cup campaign]

(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)

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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]