Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio admitted that he feared Meralco might pull off an ‘Alex Ealaesque’ comeback after a leaking roof inside the Ninoy Aquino Stadium delayed their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup game on Friday night.

Hostilities were halted for around 40 minutes, as rainwater poured down from the leak that rendered the hardcourt unplayable due to safety issues.

The Hotshots were leading by a hairline, 71-70, at that time.

“Actually, I’ve already thought about it,” Tenorio said after Magnolia’s 105-88 victory, referring to Filipino tennis star Alex Eala’s amazing win in the Washington Open Women’s singles finals last Tuesday.

Tenorio knew that the halt might give the Bolts momentum, much like how the rain delay worked wonders for Eala. The Pinay netter came back from the lull in the second set stronger and fiercer to bring down world No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the United States, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, for her historic Women’s Tennis Association Tour title.

“I’ve already asked (the game officials) what will happen. When will the game start, what will happen? Then the game resumed. Same time, same score but it’s only 12 minutes,” Tenorio added.

“So, it’s hard. Again, honestly, I’m worried, but again, that’s beyond our control. You’ll never know, they if they’d pull off an Alex Eala stunt and come back after some rest,” he quipped.

But unlike Pegula, the Hotshots didn’t allow Meralco to mount a rally.

Instead, it was Magnolia that went hot in the fourth period with Jerom Lastimosa scoring 11 of his 17 points in the final quarter, where the Hotshots outworked the Bolts, 34-18.

“I just reminded them that whoever comes out in this fourth quarter after this long break, that’s aggressive and will get momentum and get the stops will get this game,” Tenorio said.

“I was worried, honestly, because we had a good run at the end of the third quarter and then all of a sudden, the game was stopped. So, I thought the momentum really stopped and it was a big thing for them because they were able to rest. But it turns out, again, my players responded, not only this fourth quarter but the whole game.”

Magnolia’s win evened its win-loss record to 3-3, tied in third to fourth with Blackwater in Group B, as the race for the four playoffs spots gets tighter.

“As of now, we have our destiny in our hands. So, every practice, every win, every game is very important for us right now,” Tenorio said.