The Magnolia Hotshots redeemed themselves from last Sunday’s loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters by evading the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 92-87, for their first win in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday in Angeles, Pampanga.
The Hotshots have improved to 1-1, while the Batang Pier dropped to 2-2.
Ian Sangalang led Magnolia with 22 points and eight rebounds. Import Vernon Macklin produced 19 points and 13 caroms, and Rome Dela Rosa supplied 14 points on an excellent 6-of-8 shooting from the field.
The Hotshots, after a see-saw affair, were able to get some space after turning a two-point deficit to a five-point lead, 90-85, with less than two minutes left to play, after a mini 7-0 run behind Sangalang and Paul Lee.
Stanley Pringle tried to spark a rally as he trimmed the gap to three, 90-87, with 50 seconds left, but they could not get things going. Macklin and Jio Jalalon split their charities to shut the door on GlobalPort.
Sean Anthony led the Batang Pier with 20 points and 11 rebounds against eight turnovers. Import Malcolm White had 17 points and 13 boards with three blocks, while Mo Tautuaa had a double-double of his own with 12 and 13 caroms.
Pringle still made 14 points, six caroms, and three dimes despite hurting his ankle with 6:17 to go in the third quarter.
The loss spoiled the debut of newly-minted ASEAN Basketball League champion Pao Javelona. The former Phoenix draftee back in 2016 had a solid outing nonetheless, firing nine points — all from beyond the arc.
Both squads will play on May 16, Wednesday, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Magnolia will play first at 4:30 versus the Columbian Dyip, and GlobalPort will be in the 7:00 PM main-eventer against the NLEX Road Warriors.
The Scores:
Magnolia 92 – Sangalang 22, Macklin 19, Dela Rosa 14, Ramos 9, Lee 8, Barroca 7, Simon 6, Jalalon 5, Pascual 2, Herndon 0, Brondial 0.
Globalport 87 – Anthony 20, White 17, Pringle 14, Tautuaa 12, Javelona 9, Grey 5, Araña 4, Elorde 2, Flores 2, Guinto 2, Teng 0, Gabayni 0, Juico 0.
Quarterscores: 20-15, 37-37, 65-62, 92-87.
