As someone who's spent years studying athletic performance, I can tell you that proper nutrition isn't just important—it's everything. I remember watching the Magnolia team's recent game where their players put up some impressive numbers: Magnolia 118 with standout performances from Sangalang at 20 points, Barroca with 18, and multiple players scoring in the teens. What struck me wasn't just their skill on the court, but the incredible energy they maintained throughout the game. That level of sustained performance doesn't happen by accident—it starts with what these athletes put into their bodies long before they step onto the court.

I've worked with enough athletes to know that many still underestimate how much their food choices impact their game. When I see Lucero scoring 17 points and Lee matching that 17, I'm not just seeing talent—I'm seeing the result of carefully planned nutrition strategies. The truth is, your body is like a high-performance engine, and you can't expect premium results if you're putting in low-grade fuel. I've personally experimented with different nutritional approaches throughout my career, and the difference between eating for maintenance versus eating for peak performance is like night and day. Your muscles need specific nutrients at specific times, and getting this wrong can mean the difference between scoring 20 points like Sangalang or fading in the fourth quarter.

Carbohydrates have gotten such a bad reputation in recent years, but in my professional opinion, they're absolutely essential for athletes. When I look at Barroca's 18-point performance and the sustained energy required for such output, I see someone who understands the power of proper carb loading. The science is clear—your muscles store carbohydrates as glycogen, and depleted glycogen stores directly translate to decreased performance. I typically recommend athletes consume about 3-5 grams of carbohydrates per pound of body weight during training periods. Protein is another non-negotiable component—those 17 points from Lucero and 17 from Lee weren't just skill; they were built on a foundation of adequate protein for muscle repair and recovery. I've found that spreading protein intake throughout the day, aiming for about 0.7 grams per pound of body weight, makes a noticeable difference in recovery times.

What many athletes miss is the timing aspect. I've seen players like Laput scoring 10 points and Dela Rosa with 8, but what happens between games matters just as much. There's a crucial 30-45 minute window after exercise where your muscles are literally screaming for nutrients. During this period, I always recommend a combination of carbohydrates and protein—something I wish I'd known earlier in my career. Hydration is another area where I see athletes consistently underperform. Even mild dehydration can reduce performance by up to 20%, which could mean the difference between scoring 17 points like Lee or struggling to make baskets.

The supporting players like Ahanmisi with 7 points, Abueva and Alfaro both with 6, Escoto with 5, and Lastimosa with 4—they all contribute to the team's overall success, much like how micronutrients support overall athletic performance. I'm particularly passionate about antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods because I've seen how they can reduce recovery time. Foods like tart cherries, turmeric, and fatty fish have become staples in my own nutrition plan because they work. Dionisio's score of 0 in this particular game reminds me that sometimes, despite doing everything right, performance can still vary—but consistent nutrition gives you the best possible chance for success.

After years in this field, I've come to believe that nutrition accounts for at least 40-50% of athletic performance. The Magnolia team's 118-point game total wasn't just about practice and skill—it was about fueling their bodies correctly day in and day out. If there's one thing I want every athlete to understand, it's that your diet isn't separate from your training—it is training. The food choices you make today directly impact your performance tomorrow, next week, and throughout your entire career. Start treating your nutrition with the same seriousness you treat your physical training, and watch how your performance transforms.