WATCH: Interview with Asst. Coach Jason Webb and Best Player Mark Barroca [Oct. 16, 2022]

During practice on the eve of the match, assistant coach Jason Webb wrote on the board “Feb. 24.”

It added fire to the smoldering Magnolia Hotshots, who are now looking well on their way to an early PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs entry following a 109-91 blasting of the NorthPort Batang Pier Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Na-fired up talaga kami, at gusto namin makuha ito,” said Mark Barroca on Webb’s reminder of their streak stoppage by the Batang Pier on that fateful day.

“Six-zero kami noon (during the All-Filipino), at sila nag-stop sa amin,” said Webb.

The Hotshots made sure there won’t be a repeat of that, establishing a double-digit spread right in the opening quarter, pulling away to a 17-point spread at the turn and keeping the Batang Pier at bay to the finish to chalk up win No. 5.

The Hotshots remain unbeaten ahead of their keenly awaited showdown with the Barangay Ginebra Kings on Oct. 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Batang Pier (3-3) stayed on an up-and-down ride as they got into the game only in the early goings versus the Magnolia squad that became more lethal on the return of Ian Sangalang and Rome dela Rosa.