ANTIPOLO – Magnolia gained a share of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup leadership after keeping its mastery of Terrafirma in the form of a 104-93 come-from-behind victory on Saturday evening at the Ynares Center here.
The Hotshots woke up from a tepid start before turning the game around for good in the deciding chapter.
They took their third win, forging a tie with TNT at the top of the team standings as the long-time rivals carry 3-1 cards.
“It’s very important for us to really focus on this game. Coming into this game, we really focused on the things that we learned from last game, which was really, number one, to play defense,” offered head coach LA Tenorio.
(C) PBA Images
Mark Barroca finished with 17 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting from the floor to lead the perennial contenders’ solid bounce-back. They previously dropped a close one against CJ Cansino and Meralco, 78-76, the last time out in Montalban.
Jerom Lastimosa, who missed the potential game-winning three-pointer against the Bolts, continued his fine play. He produced 16 points alongside five rebounds and four assists plus a steal — doing all that without any turnover.
And the two were crucial in repelling the Dyip down the stretch, with the sophomore first hitting a tough layup off a Rome dela Rosa dime. Then his ‘Kuya Mark’ knocked down a leaner for the 97-86 lead with 2:31 remaining.
Barroca himself scored 11 of his points in the final canto alone, with the 39-year-old floor general earning the Player of the Game honors.
“Masakit ‘yung pagkatalo namin last game. Ito ‘yung mga games na kailangan naming manalo kasi nga eto ‘yung magpapadala sa amin sa playoffs, sa magandang spot,” said Barroca. “So kailangan talagang ipanalo namin.”
But that finishing kick wouldn’t be possible had it not been for the gusty back-to-back threes sunk by Raffy Verano to open the fourth. That erased a one-point deficit and turned it to an 81-76 advantage with 10:59 to go.
Those outside shots put them up the rest of the way — that, after finding themselves staring at a 20-9 deficit to start the ball game.
Paul Lee has regained his flow after finishing with 12 points, spiked by a pair of four-pointers. Ian Sangalang also had 12, while Zav Lucero flirted with a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds for Magnolia.
The Hotshots will look to end the month with another win when they take on Phoenix on October 31, Friday, 7:30 PM at the same venue.
(C) PBA Images
Paolo Hernandez and JM Bravo, meanwhile, finished with 16 points apiece to lead Terrafirma, which suffered its second loss in a row and fell to 1-3.
Aljon Mariano had 12 points and nine rebounds, while Jerrick Ahanmisi and Louie Sangalang added 11 each.
The team that has yet to welcome Maverick Ahanmisi, as the veteran guard continues to recover from a toe injury.
The Dyip will also see action on the 31st, taking on Rain or Shine in an attempt to arrest their skid and post their second win of the conference.
The Scores:
Magnolia 104– Barroca 17, Lastimosa 16, Lee 12, Sanagalang 12, Lucero 9, Dela Rosa 7, Laput 7, Verano 6, Alfaro 5, Gomez de Liano 5, Gomez 3, Escoto 3, Eriobu 0.
Terrafirma 93 – Hernandez 16, Bravo 16, Mariano 12, Ahanmisi 11, Sangalang 11, Paraiso 9, Garcia 5, Catapusan 4, Rivero 4, Zaldivar 4, Olivario 1, Hanapi 0.
Quarterscores: 20-23; 50-47; 75-76; 104-93.
