All news tagged MagnoliaChickenTimpladosHotshots

Loren Brill, the Filipino-American guard and son of former Olongapo sports star Louie Brill, is set on reigniting his professional basketball journey in the Philippines. Standing at 6’0” and weighing 190 pounds, Loren brings a mix of international experience, athleticism, and heritage pride to the court.

His father, Louie Brill, was a back-to-back NCAA champion (1977–1978) with the San Beda Red Lions and team captain of the 1982 RP Youth team that won the ABC Juniors Championship, cementing his place among the country’s standout basketball figures of his era.

Following in those footsteps, Loren carved his own path abroad. A former Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots draftee, he was selected 28th overall in the 2021 PBA Draft, contributing to Magnolia’s deep playoff runs in the Philippine Cup and Governor’s Cup. 

Before turning pro, he played Division I basketball in the U.S. — first with California State University Fullerton, and later with Old Dominion University, where he competed in the 2019 NCAA March Madness Tournament.

After a solid stint with the Dasmariñas Monarchs in the 2023 AsiaBasket League, Loren now looks to return to the PBA with renewed focus and hunger. 

Carrying the competitive fire of his father Louie, a champion and youth team legend, Loren Brill is determined to write the next chapter of the Brill basketball legacy — one built on history, pride, and perseverance.

Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone had mixed emotions following the Gin Kings’ 80-73 defeat to Magnolia in the opening game of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I’m happy for LA, sad for myself,” Cone admitted after his team fell to his former floor general and now Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio, who earned his first coaching victory in his debut.

The much-anticipated matchup between mentor and student saw Tenorio’s Hotshots control the game from start to finish, using a strong start and steady composure to secure the win.

Cone, however, downplayed the “duel” narrative between him and Tenorio. “You guys are making a big deal out of it,” Cone said.  “We’re friends. It’s the same thing when I coached against Chot Reyes, Jeff Cariaso, Johnedel Cardel, or Luigi Trillo—they’re all my ex-players and coaches. It’s just part of the game.”

Despite the loss, Cone expressed pride in Tenorio’s successful coaching debut, showing that the lessons once learned under his mentorship can now be used to craft victories of their own.

Magnolia’s new era under rookie coach LA Tenorio began in golden fashion as the Hotshots opened their 2025 PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup campaign with an 80-73 victory over Barangay Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, spoiling Tenorio’s reunion with his former team and long-time mentor, Tim Cone.

Tenorio, who won seven titles with Ginebra as a player and playing-assistant, credited his players for stepping up in the emotionally charged Manila Clasico opener. 

"A good start for a new journey," said Tenorio, deflecting all the credit, though, to his players.

"It was really hard. Emotionally, I had to battle, and I really had to challenge my players that it's not about me and coach Tim; it's about the players of Magnolia and the players of Ginebra," Tenorio pointed out.

“I just want to thank the players and my staff. They were really ready for this game and wanted to give me this first win.”

"And I want to thank the players and the coaching staff, they wanted to guide me, knowing mahirap in this kind of atmosphere. The players were ready going to this game. I appreciated their effort and their focus," Tenorio added.

Zav Lucero led Magnolia with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals, and a block, while Jerom Lastimosa and Javi Gomez de Liano chipped in 14 points each. Rome dela Rosa added nine as the Hotshots unleashed a fiery 10-0 start and never looked back, maintaining control all game.

The Hotshots’ wire-to-wire win marked a promising start to Tenorio’s coaching journey—one that began by defeating the very team that helped shape his legacy.

The scores:

Magnolia 80 - Lucero 17, Lastimosa 14, Gomez de Liano 14, dela Rosa 12, Sangalang 9, Barroca 7, Laput 5, Dionisio 2, Lee 0, Verano 0, Alfaro 0, Escoto 0.

Ginebra 73 - Holt 16, Gray 13, Rosario 12, Abarrientos 11, Estil 9, J.Aguilar 5, Cu 3, Torres 2, David 2, Thompson 0.

Quarterscores: 23-14, 36-30, 61-48, 80-73

Just weeks after being appointed as head coach of the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, LA Tenorio is already making bold moves — the latest being the blockbuster Javi Gomez de Liano–Jerrick Ahanmisi trade.

In the deal approved by the PBA, Gomez de Liano will now don the Magnolia jersey after previous stints with Terrafirma, the Korean Basketball League, and the Strong Group Athletics in the Jones Cup. Meanwhile, the sweet-shooting Ahanmisi will suit up for the Dyip. The trade also includes Magnolia’s second-round pick, which now belongs to Terrafirma.

With the transaction complete, one question lingers: Who really won the trade?

On paper and in the eyes of many analysts and fans, Magnolia appears to have the edge. Gomez de Liano offers a more complete package: size, versatility, and a well-rounded skill set.

That said, Ahanmisi’s scoring potential should not be underestimated. He has the ability to heat up and take over a game when given the opportunity, a weapon that was not fully maximized under his former coach. With Terrafirma, he could rediscover that spark and become a major offensive threat.

William Navarro’s long-awaited overseas stint is finally underway.

The versatile 6-foot-6 forward has officially signed with the Busan KCC Egis, the Korean Basketball League (KBL) club announced on Tuesday, sealing a dream move years in the making.

Another four-time PBA Most Valuable Player takes the spotlight in our series.

Alvin “The Captain” Patrimonio captured the league’s highest individual honor in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1997—becoming only the second player to achieve the feat after “El Presidente” Ramon Fernandez, who won it in 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1988.

Patrimonio played his entire 17-year career with just one franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), staying loyal from 1988 to 2004. He became the face of the Purefoods/Magnolia franchise throughout those years, eventually passing the torch to his successors upon retirement.

The TNT Tropang 5G kept their Grand Slam bid alive after surviving the grit and grind of the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 89-88, on Wednesday, June 18, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

RR Pogoy came alive in the pivotal moments, finishing with 30 points to lead TNT to a crucial victory and force a knockout game on Saturday, June 21.

"Mindset ko lang eh ayaw ko magpatalo, ayaw ko mag-bakasyon," said Pogoy, who helped erase a 13-point Magnolia lead.

Supporting Pogoy in the must-win game were Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading, who chipped in 21 and 10 points, respectively.

Veteran Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser also came up big, scoring 12 and 10 points. They drained back-to-back triples in the dying minutes to help seal the win.

Magnolia and NLEX continued their dominance in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup after defeating their respective opponents on Wednesday night, May 14, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Hotshots maintained their grip on the top of the standings with a spotless 6-0 record after a commanding 117-92 win over the defending champions Meralco Bolts in the main game of the Wednesday double-header.

Paul Lee led the charge for Magnolia, pouring in 27 points built on an efficient 4-of-5 shooting from the four-point territory and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line.

Ian Sangalang followed with 16 markers and nine boards, while Zavier Lucero and James Laput contributed 11 points and seven rebounds each. Rome Dela Rosa also chipped in 11 markers. Mark Barroca, Jerom Lastimosa, and Peter Alfaro III added nine markers apiece.

The Bolts kept it close until Lee’s barrage of 4’s broke the game wide open in the closing minutes.

Tensions flared late in the contest when Cliff Hodge’s hard tackle on Lucero halted the game, prompting a brief commotion that required Commissioner Willie Marcial to step in and restore order.

Despite the heated moment, cooler heads prevailed. After the final buzzer, both teams shook hands, exchanged hugs, and shared smiles.

On Sunday, May 4, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Rizal, the TNT Tropang 5G finally found their groove after dropping their first three outings, while the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued to dominate the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, capturing their fifth straight victory.

TNT’s 89-84 upset over the San Miguel Beermen was less about precision and more about pride.

“We're a different team now,” admitted TNT head coach Chot Reyes, acknowledging the absence of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson—due to the All-Filipino format—and team leader Jayson Castro, who remains out with an injury. “We said, ‘Let’s write our own story.’ This win is just the first chapter.”

Calvin Oftana led the charge with 23 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, delivering both the numbers and the intangibles.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots captured their fourth straight victory in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup after dominating the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 118-99, on Friday, April 26, in Zamboanga.

Hometown hero Mark Barroca delivered his best performance of the conference so far, thrilling his fellow Chabacanos with 16 points (7/14 FGs), six rebounds, five assists, and one steal.

Peter Alfaro, another proud Zamboanga native, chipped in six markers and two boards while helping orchestrate the Hotshots’ offense.

Before tip-off, Barroca—who celebrated his 39th birthday yesterday, his first in Zamboanga in 20 years—expressed gratitude to his kababayans, joined by Alfaro and Phoenix’s RR Garcia in thanking the home crowd.

It’s only fitting that on Wednesday, April 16, two of the most storied franchises in Philippine basketball will collide in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, as the league continues to celebrate its golden anniversary.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen will square off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in a battle for early supremacy. Both unbeaten, both hungry, both aiming to seize their third win—and with it, the solo lead in the standings.

These two titans began their campaigns with convincing victories last April 5 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. San Miguel dispatched the NLEX Road Warriors, 98–89, while Magnolia cruised past the Blackwater Bossing, 106–84.

On April 9, during the league’s anniversary celebration, both squads stayed perfect. The Hotshots used their signature defense to defeat the Converge FiberXers, 83–71, while the Beermen triumphed over the Meralco Bolts in a retro-themed showdown at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum, 110–98.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots survived the grit of the Terrafirma Dyip to carve out an 89-84 victory in their battle last night, January 10, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Magnolia improved their record to 3-5 and still held on to their chance of making it to the playoffs of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.

The win also gave the Hotshots their 20th straight triumph against the Terrafirma, which fell down to 0-9 in the conference and officially put them out of contention in the next round.