Magnolia tries to go for back-to-back wins while TNT eyes a quick bounce back in Group A action of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29.

The Hotshots (1-1) hope to follow up their first win of the season after absorbing an opening day loss while the Tropang Giga (2-1) are looking to lick their wounds and quickly get back on track after being on the receiving end of a historic four-point game-winner two days ago.

Tip-off of the clash is at 7:30 p.m. with a showdown between NorthPort (1-1) and Converge (2-1) setting up the table in the first game at 5:00 p.m.

Magnolia may have opened the conference on the wrong foot in a loss to Meralco but has since started to live up to expectations after a 105-93 win over Converge last time out.

The Hotshots, for one, have finally regained their defensive identity after limiting the FiberXers, a team that exploded for more than 120 points, to just below 100. 

That same defense should be key for Magnolia in stringing together its first pair of wins especially against a TNT team led by do-it-all import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Hollis-Jefferson has been on a tear for TNT, averaging 29.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.23 assists although his efforts were not enough to lift the Tropang Giga over the FiberXers, 96-95.

While the defense is certainly the focus, Magnolia has enough firepower on offense to go toe-to-toe with TNT with import Glenn Robinson III putting 28.5 points through the first two games.

Of course, Jerrick Ahanmisi, who looked comfortable drilling the four-point shot, along with Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva form an able supporting cast although TNT’s own locals are no pushovers as well with Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac, the returning RR Pogoy and veteran Jayson Castro backstopping RHJ.

Meanwhile in the opening game, the FiberXers are looking to ride the momentum from Scotty Hopson’s four-point game-winner to pick up their third win in the season and eclipse the team’s number of wins from the last conference.

NorthPort, though, is emerging as a potent threat to any team especially with Venky Jois looking like a tailor-fit for the Batang Pier. With him in tow, William Navarro dropped a career-high 31 points while Arvin Tolentino put up a near-triple-double to bag their first win against the still winless Terrafirma.