Let me tell you something I've learned through years of covering professional sports - you can't out-train a bad diet. I remember watching Magnolia's recent game where they put up 118 points, and thinking about how much of that explosive performance comes from proper fueling. When I look at that scorecard - Sangalang with 20, Barroca with 18, Lucero and Lee both with 17 - I don't just see numbers. I see athletes who've mastered their nutrition game.

The connection between what these players eat and how they perform isn't just theoretical for me. I've seen it firsthand when working with athletes who transformed their careers simply by changing their approach to food. That 118-point explosion from Magnolia didn't happen by accident. It's the result of strategic fueling that supports both immediate performance and recovery. Think about Sangalang dropping 20 points - that kind of sustained energy doesn't come from skipping meals or loading up on empty calories.

What most people don't realize is that sports nutrition isn't one-size-fits-all. I've always preferred a more personalized approach, much like what these Magnolia players seem to have figured out. Barroca's 18 points and Laput's 10 points represent different energy systems at work, requiring different nutritional strategies. The explosive plays need quick-digesting carbs, while the endurance aspects demand sustained energy release. Personally, I'm a big believer in timing nutrients around training sessions - it's something I wish I'd understood earlier in my career.

Let's talk about recovery, because that's where many athletes drop the ball. When I see Lucero and Lee both putting up 17 points in what appears to be a high-intensity game, I know their post-game nutrition must be on point. From my experience, that 30-60 minute window after exertion is absolutely critical. I typically recommend a 3:1 carb-to-protein ratio, though some of my colleagues swear by 4:1. The key is finding what works for your body, much like these players have obviously done.

Hydration is another area where I've seen athletes make costly mistakes. That Dela Rosa with 8 points and Ahanmisi with 7 - they're not just drinking water during timeouts. Proper electrolyte balance makes all the difference in maintaining performance through four quarters. I've always been particular about adding sodium to my hydration strategy, especially during longer competitions.

The supplement question comes up constantly in my work. While Abueva's 6 points and Alfaro's 6 might not seem spectacular, consistency like that often reflects smart supplementation. I'm somewhat skeptical of most supplements, but I do believe in a few basics - creatine for power athletes, caffeine for endurance, and omega-3s for inflammation control. What matters most, though, is getting the fundamentals right first.

Looking at Escoto's 5 points and Lastimosa's 4, I'm reminded that not every player will have a standout game, but proper nutrition ensures they're always ready to contribute. That's the beauty of a solid nutritional foundation - it provides both peak performance and reliable consistency. From my perspective, that's what separates good teams from great ones.

Ultimately, what impresses me about performances like Magnolia's 118-point game isn't just the skill on display, but the nutritional discipline behind it. These athletes understand that food isn't just fuel - it's their competitive edge. And in my book, that understanding is worth at least 20 points on any given night.