The Magnolia Hotshots have finally gotten themselves out of a two-game funk, returning to their winning ways as they drowned an exhausted GlobalPort Batang Pier, 96-81, Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots now have sole possession of the second spot in the standings, as they have gone up, 7-3. Meanwhile, the Batang Pier dropped to 4-5 and forced a three-way tie in the eighth spot with the Phoenix Fuel Masters and Blackwater Elite.
“Yung istorya nung game, yung depensa,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero. “Every time we limit our opponents to under 88 points, we have a big chance of winning the game. I think yun yung basehan ngayon.”
Six players scored in double figures for Magnolia, with Rome Dela Rosa top-billing with a career-high of 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, with four rebounds and two steals. Justin Melton and Ian Sangalang had 14 markers apiece.
Magnolia were trailing by eight, 45-53, early in the third canto, but made 14 unanswered points — punctuated by Mark Barroca’s jumper — to snatch the driver’s seat, 59-53, and leave the Batang Pier in the dust for good.
The Hotshots’ lead grew to as much as 19, 96-77, after Dela Rosa’s basket with 1:25 left to play.
“I’m very happy kasi naka-adjust sila sa second half,” said Victolero of their second half surge, as they scored 35 in the third alone. “I told them this is a grinding game, we need to dig deep especially dun sa physicality ng laro.”
After a three-game absence, Paul Lee seemed to have healed from his ankle injury, as he produced 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists for Magnolia. Barroca and Aldrech Ramos scored 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
Kelly Nabong led the Batang Pier, who are coming off a huge win over the TNT Katropa just this last Wednesday, with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Jonathan Grey added 13 points, while Jeric Teng made 12. Sean Anthony chipped in 12 and 11.
Stanley Pringle was a non-factor for the Batang Pier, as he only made six points on 1-of-12 shooting.
Magnolia will look to end the elims on a high note versus the Meralco Bolts on February 24, Saturday, 5:00 PM in Cagayan De Oro, while GlobalPort will look to vent their ire on the Kia Picanto on February 21, Wednesday, 4:30 PM still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Magnolia 96 — Dela Rosa 18, Melton 14, Sangalang 14, Lee 13, Barroca 12, Ramos 11, Pingris 6, Jalalon 5, Simon 2, Reavis 1, Brondial 0, Herndon 0.
Globalport 81 — Nabong 21, Grey 13, Anthony 12, Teng 12, Araña 5, Pringle 5, Gabayni 4, Sargent 3, Elorde 2, Flores 2, Taha 2, Guinto 0, Juico 0.
Quarterscores: 17-22, 34-39, 69-61, 96-81.
