Top seed Magnolia wasted no time in asserting its might in the playoffs.

The Hotshots went off to a strong start and put an even better finish to boot out the TNT Tropang Giga, 109-94, and punch the first ticket to the semifinals of the 2023-’24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

Import Tyler Bey led the way with 41 points including a perfect 16-of-16 clip from the foul line as Magnolia unloaded a back-breaking 16-1 run bridging the last two frames that allowed them to establish enough cushion to fend off a late TNT fightback.

Bey, who poured 25 of his output in the second half, added 13 rebounds and five steals to his line while Mark Barroca provided ample support of 17 points.

Ian Sangalang had 12 points and eight rebounds while Abueva also had the same scoring output while putting a body on TNT import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson on the defensive end.

The Hotshots actually banked on a strong first half that allowed them to take the driver seats at the break, 50-44. The Tropang Giga, however, behind the efforts of Hollis-Jefferson, RR Pogoy and Kim Aurin, briefly took the lead, 69-68.

Magnolia, however, went on a massive run to establish an advantage it managed to sustain and even stretch to as high as 19 points in the final frame.

Hollis-Jefferson did everything he can to help TNT extend its tournament life with 27 points 11 rebounds and eight assists but were not even enough to force a sudden-death match.

Calvin Oftana finished with 20 points and six assists while Pogoy and Aurin added 17 and 13, respectively, in a losing effort.