Magnolia and Rain or Shine share the same agenda heading to the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
Redemption.
After falling short of their championship target in the Commissioner’s Cup, ruled by Barangay Ginebra, the season-ending conference gives both squads a fresh start and a chance to finish the season strong, and hopefully, with a championship.
The Hotshots begin their title bid on Saturday when they collide with the Phoenix Fuel Masters at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal.
On the other hand, the Elasto Painters kick off their championship aspirations against the Blackwater Bossing at 5:30 p.m.
Magnolia, now under newbie coach LA Tenorio fell short of its championship bid after being ousted by Meralco in their rubber match in the quarterfinals.
The Hotshots though are not dwelling on the past, and with KJ Buffen reinforcing the team, they intend to get the conference at the right start against the Fuel Masters.
Buffen saw action for Ole Miss, and University of Alabama in Birmingham, before taking his act as a pro in Finland, New Zealand, before reinforcing Rans PIK in the Indonesian Basketball League, where he averaged a double-double of 21.5 points and 11.3 rebounds in the 2025-26 season.
Buffen’s counterpart at Phoenix is BJ Johnson, who had stops with the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic in the NBA.
For Rain or Shine, the team last tasted a league championship in 2016, and will hope that old hand Aaron Fuller could bring the franchise to the promised land.
Fuller is now in his sixth PBA stint since starting with Yeng Guiao when the fiery mentor was still with NLEX less than a decade ago.
Based on the tournament format, the 13 ballclubs are divided into two groups with Group A featuring led by defending champion TNT, Philippine Cup titlist San Miguel Beer, Converge, NLEX, Macau, Terrafirma and Titan Ultra.
Group B will be led by Commissioner’s Cup champion Barangay Ginebra, Rain or Shine, Magnolia, Meralco, Phoenix Super LPG and Blackwater.
Teams bracketed in the same group play in a double round robin elimination with the top four in Groups A and B advancing to the quarterfinals. Tiebreakers will be resolved by the PBA quotient.
