WATCH: Interview with Best Player Tyler Bey and Coach Chito Victolero [Dec. 6, 2023]

Magnolia has not just been simply winning games but has been winning in dominant, imposing fashion – except in a come-from-behind nerve-wracker in a Manila Clasico duel with Barangay Ginebra.

And that easily makes the sizzling Hotshots as the favored side versus the Blackwater Bossing in a Wednesday face-off in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena.

Tip-off is at 8 p.m. with coach Chito Victolero’s crew looking to hit a sixth straight win at the halfway mark of their elimination-round ride, and coach Jeff Cariaso’s troops hoping to end a five-game slide.

Odds are heavy on the Hotshots who are on a hot, hot streak dating back to the preseason. They have been on a 16-0 run from the On Tour series.

And they have been blasting the opposition even with ace do-it-all forward Calvin Abueva confined on the bench with his injury.

The Hotshots are not lacking in energy and intensity, sourcing these from numerous guys led by their combo guards Paul Lee, Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon.

Last time, they were engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle with the NLEX Road Warriors when Jalalon presided over a high-energy second-half rampage leading to a runaway 99-72 victory.