Magnolia is parading new import Shabazz Muhammad as it tries to get back at Meralco in their second-round collision on the road at the Panabo City Multi-Purpose Tourism, Sports and Cultural Center in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup on Saturday, Sept. 7.

The Hotshots have picked up the pieces from their opening day 99-94 loss against the Bolts and they are now determined to get their revenge at the end of their 6 p.m. affair.

Magnolia certainly has the momentum heading into the contest after finally notching their first win streak of the season following twin victories against Terrafirma and NorthPort but that did not prevent head coach Chito Victolero from making a tweak on his roster.

Muhammad, who last first saw action in the PBA in 2022, is expected to bring in his offensive prowess as the Hotshots eye to move further up from the third spot of the Group A standings with a 3-2 record.

The Hotshots are only a game behind co-leaders the Bolts and the TNT Tropang Giga, both boasting a 4-1 record at the end of the first round of the eliminations.

Meralco, on the other hand, is currently one of the hottest teams so far in the league with a three-game winning run, capped by a dominant 116-88 victory over Converge to also wrap up its first round assignments.

Despite the Bolts dealing with a slew of injuries to its key players in Allein Maliksi and Aaron Black along with Raymond Almazan and Cliff Hodge who are both in a day-to-day situation, Meralco has been finding ways to still win largely behind the solid contributions it has been getting from their bench.

At the forefront of the winning run is import Allen Durham who is finally getting back into game shape and performing like he used to when he last suited up for the Bolts three years ago.

Spotlight should be on the marquee matchup between Durham and Muhammad who will be facing each other on the PBA stage for the first time.

The Meralco import posted 20 points and 16 rebounds – including the crucial free throws to tow his team to the victory against Magnolia’s first import choice Glenn Robinson III who had 29 points and 11 rebounds and almost won it for the Hotshots, only missing the supposed game-winning four-pointer in the end.

It was also in that game where Chris Banchero nailed the first quadruple in PBA history over Jerrick Ahanmisi, who, after getting caught defending the first two four-pointers, has redeemed himself and found his niche as the designated four-point shooter for his team.

Ahanmisi has fired eight quadruples in the first round – the most by any local thus far in the conference.