The debuting Magnolia Hotshots thwarted the NLEX Road Warriors’ bid for a 3-0 start in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup as they took a wire-to-wire 102-72 victory, Wednesday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots not only dropped the Road Warriors – who were playing their third game in six days – to 2-1, they also sent the MVP Group-owned franchise to their worst loss, as per the league’s stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
“The battle cry is our defense versus their offense. In their last two games, they averaged 113 points. We want to limit them under 90 points and I’m proud of my players, they did a good job on defense,” said coach Chito Victolero.
Former Alaska Aces enforcer and 2015 Governors’ Cup Best Import awardee Romeo Travis impressed in his return, as he led Magnolia with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Mark Barroca led the locals with 13 points and six rebounds.
The game was never in doubt when the Hotshots pulled away wide with a 19-7 spree to start the game. Magnolia were already leading by 25, 55-30, after a PJ Simon basket with just six seconds left heading into the halftime break.
“It’s a total team effort. We started strong and I think yung chemistry ng team medyo maganda. At least kahit papaano, [kay] Romeo Travis, yung teamwork niya with locals medyo nagi-improve na,” Victolero added about the win.
Simon had 12 points in the win, while San Beda Red Lions alumni Rome Dela Rosa and Bambam Gamalinda chipped in 10 markers apiece.
Olu Ashaolu – who might have played his last game in the NLEX uniform, as he is set to undergo treatment for his patellar tendon rupture – was the lone double-digit scorer for the Road Warriors with 21 points along with nine rebounds.
Magnolia will next face the NorthPort Batang Pier on September 1, Saturday, while NLEX will look to get back on track versus the still-winless Columbian Dyip next Wednesday, August 29. Both games will still be at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Magnolia 102 – Travis 21, Barroca 13, Simon 12, Gamalinda 10, dela Rosa 10 Reavis 8, Melton 7, Jalalon 6, Sangalang 5, Mendoza 4, Ramos 4, Herndon 2, Pascual 0, Brondial 0, Abundo 0.
NLEX 72 – Ashaolu 21, Tiongson 8, Fonacier 6, Ighalo 6, Mallari 5, Quinahan 5, Rios 5, Paniamogan 4, Monfort 2, Baguio 2, Miranda 2, Galanza 2, Gotladera 2, Tallo 2, Marcelo 0, Soyud 0.
Quarterscores: 31-12, 55-30, 76-52, 102-72.
