Meralco put up a defensive masterclass and clamped down on Magnolia to essay a much-needed 74-51 victory in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Sunday, April 28.

In a showdown between two of the league’s best defensive teams, the Bolts shocked the Hotshots with a suffocating defense that allowed them to limit Magnolia to a measly seven points in the second frame. 

That set the tone for the rest of the contest as Meralco held Magnolia to a league season-low scoring in a game. The Hotshots' seven points in the second frame and the 21 points at the break were also the lowest this season.

The grindout victory kept the Bolts in the playoff picture, holding on to the eighth spot with an even 5-5 record while dealing a major blow to the Hotshots' aspirations for one of the top two spots which dangle a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. 

Magnolia absorbed its second straight defeat, sliding down to a share of the fourth spot of the standings with TNT with similar 5-4 records.

Meralco’s defense even looked impenetrable in one stretch where it held Magnolia scoreless in the last seven minutes of the first half with the Hotshots’ first basket since then not coming until the 10:07 mark of the third frame courtesy of two free throws from Mark Barroca.

When the dust settled, Magnolia could only see 51 points at the end of a 48-minute game – an output that was usually only a team's total at the end of the first two quarters. It was the lowest points allowed by Meralco in franchise history and, on the other hand, the lowest points scored by Magnolia in its franchise.

While the Bolts offense wasn’t any better, largely due to the Hotshots defense as well, they somehow managed to take advantage of Magnolia’s scoring droughts and slowly built up the lead that went to as high as 20 points. 

Raymond Almazan anchored Meralco on both ends of the floor with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds while Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero added 12 and 11 respectively.

Rookie Brandon Bates also provided Meralco some offense when it seemed to be a scarcity for both teams, finishing with 10 points.

No Magnolia player reached double-figures with Ian Sangalang scoring the most with eight points. Barroca and Paul Lee, two Hotshots averaging double-digits in scoring heading into the contest, were held to a measly six and five points respectively.