Javi Gomez De Liano led Magnolia to its 994th win ever in the PBA. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Magnolia is now solely in third place in the PBA's all-time wins list after ripping Blackwater, 90-75, on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Down by as much as 11 in the first half, the Hotshots came alive in the second half, outscoring the Bossing, 56-36.

Javi Gomez De Liano led the Purefoods, now with 994 wins since joining the league in 1988 and five so far in this season's Philippine Cup against two losses, with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 on deuces, two rebounds, two assists, and three steals.

Ian Sangalang added 16 points on 8-of-13 shooting, nine rebounds, five assists, one block, and one steal, while Zav Lucero chipped in 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal.

The win broke a tie with defunct Alaska, which had 993 wins in the league before Converge bought its franchise in 2022, for third in the all-time list.

The Hotshots are behind their sister teams San Miguel Beermen (1,488 victories) and Barangay Ginebra (1,167) in the all-time wins list.

Sedrick Barefield put up 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists for Blackwater, which dropped to its sixth straight defeat after whipping Terrafirma in its conference opener.