The Magnolia Hotshots played masterful basketball to thrash the Meralco Bolts, 94-65, and to collect a twice-to-beat advantage for the 2018 Philippine Cup playoffs, Saturday evening at Xavier University Gym in Cagayan De Oro.
The Hotshots had ended the elimination round with an 8-3 record. Meanwhile, the Bolts, who are coming off a win over Ginebra, have kissed goodbye to their playoff aspirations as they will exit this year’s All-Filipino tilt with a 4-7 slate.
Paul Lee led Magnolia with 21 points on 52 percent shooting — this after scoring just three in the opening frame. Ian Sangalang made 12 points and six rebounds, while Robbie Herndon chipped in 10 markers.
Everyone except Aldrech Ramos scored at least four points for Magnolia.
The Hotshots started to gain control of the match as early as in the second chapter, firing 10 straight points — capped by Justin Melton’s bucket — to convert a 22-all deadlock to a 32-22 lead with 4:41 on the clock.
That then became the start of the Magnolia show in CDO, reducing the bout touted to go down the wire to seemingly a practice game. Their lead ballooned up to 30 markers, 87-57, after Herndon’s triple with 3:44 left to play.
Marc Pingris had 10 rebounds and four markers for the Hotshots.
Chris Newsome had 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists to lead Meralco, who failed to give the returning Ranidel De Ocampo a fitting welcome. Guard Joseph Sedurifa backed him up with 10 markers.
The Hotshots made 48 percent from the field, and feasted on the Bolts’ deprived frontline as they reigned supreme in rebounds, 52-41. Their bench mob, furthermore, supplied 54 points to their total output.
The Scores:
Magnolia 94 – Lee 21, Sangalang 12, Herndon 10, Melton 8, Simon 8, Barroca 7, Mendoza 5, Pingris 4, Reavis 4, Gamalinda 4, Brondial 4, Pascual 4, Dela Rosa 3, Ramos 0.
Meralco 65 – Newsome 13, Sedurifa 10, Lanete 9, Caram 8, Ballesteros 6, Amer 5, Salva 4, Cañaleta 4, Faundo 4, Hugnatan 2, Tolomia 0, Dillinger 0, Baracael 0, Bono 0.
Quarterscores: 20-15, 44-32, 68-48, 94-65.
