The Magnolia Hotshots atoned for their 82-95 loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters last Sunday by scoring a 92-76 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Wednesday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots improved to 3-1 in the 2018 Governors’ Cup, while the E-Painters have yet to win in two games.
“Credit to the players. They executed very well on both ends,” said Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero. “Malaking panalo ‘to para sa’min kasi we don’t want to have a two-game losing streak heading into Sunday versus San Miguel.”
Import Romeo Travis led Magnolia with 22 points and 16 rebounds, along with three assists, three steals, and two blocks. Paul Lee had 22 markers as well despite shooting 6-of-17 from the field, and he also had seven dimes.
The Hotshots showed that they badly wanted to redeem themselves from Sunday’s loss by jumping out of the gates and starting the match with a 21-9 run, a lead which the Elasto Painters were never able to climb up.
Magnolia would go on to lead by as much as 20, 80-60, after Jio Jalalon’s lay-up off a drive with 7:43 left to play.
Ian Sangalang had 13 points and six rebounds in the victory, while PJ Simon chimed in 11 markers.
J’Nathan Bullock led Rain or Shine with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Magnolia will face the San Miguel Beermen on Sunday, September 30, at 6:45 PM, while Rain or Shine will take on the Alaska Aces next Wednesday, October 3, at 7:00 PM. Both games are still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Magnolia 92 – Lee 22, Travis 22, Sangalang 13, Simon 11, Barroca 9, Reavis 7, dela Rosa 4, Brondial 2, Jalalon 2, Ramos 0, Melton 0, Herndon 0.
Rain or Shine 76 – Bullock 15, Norwood 12, Ahanmisi 11, Daquioag 10, Belga 8, Torres 8, Maiquez 3, Yap 2, Almazan 2, Nambatac 2, Casino 2, Ponferada 1, Tiu 0, Borboran 0.
Quarterscores: 21-15, 40-27, 66-56, 92-76.
