PASSI CITY – Magnolia players came out big winners in the PBA All-Star Weekend with Paul Lee winning the three-point shootout and Adrian Wong bagging the RSJ MVP citation – a string of success the latter hopes would carry over to the playoffs.

Wong emerged as the brightest among the league’s rising stars as he poured 29 points in the Team Greats’ 158-138 victory over Team Stalwarts while Lee torched the net and bested streaky gunners Marcio Lassiter and Juami Tiongson last Saturday, March 11.

“I'm extremely happy Paul won the three-point contest representing Magnolia and I'm happy to win the MVP to represent Magnolia also but it was just a good day for us today,” said Wong.

The Hotshots' success in the All-Star weekend should come as a fitting buildup ahead of the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs which is expected to immediately follow after the end of the eliminations on March 17.

Wong, who dropped 18 of his total in the final frame of the RSJ game, hopes to carry the confidence he got from the All-Star break to the playoffs.

“I can carry this heading to the playoffs. We'll see how the other teams pans out with the games but we'll just control what we can control and see from there,” added the Hotshots’ backup gunner.

Magnolia is currently at the fifth spot of the standings tied with Meralco with identical 7-4 records. The Hotshots wrapped up the eliminations on a three-game win streak to keep themselves in the top 4 conversation which would merit them a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Both Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel still have remaining games and its results also hold the fate of Magnolia whether it will claim the quarters bonus or will be at a disadvantage come playoffs.