Magnolia fanned its quarterfinal hopes in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup following a 106-84 victory over Titan Ultra for a dominant bounce-back at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Hotshots pulled away behind a 34-point second quarter for a commanding 61-41 lead at the half before cruising to the win that put them back on track after bowing to Rain or Shine in an emotionally charged affair last Sunday.
Coach LA Tenorio and his charges improved to an even .500 in the conference standings, in the process regaining the No. 7 spot from San Miguel Beer.
(C) PBA Images
“I challenged the team, na it’s really a test of character for us, on how we bounce back from that kind of loss,” said the former player turned mentor.
“It was a big loss for us. So far it’s a do-or-die game sa amin every game so dito namin makikita ‘yung sense of urgency and the focus and discipline sa lahat ng ginagawa namin, lahat ng pinaghandaan namin,” Tenorio added.
A total of five players finished in twin digits in the triumph, with Clint Chapman leading the way with 31 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Zav Lucero had 19 points and eight rebounds, with Javi Gomez de Liano firing a season-high 18 points–spiked by three four-pointers–alongside five rebounds and three assists for his best performance in a very long while.
Gomez de Liano earned Player of the Game honors and deservedly so, having played a key role in the aforementioned breakaway in which he hit two fours.
“Nakakamiss. But like what Coach LA said, anyone can really contribute at any given game, and it’s just all about getting ready for the opportunity,” he said.
Jerom Lastimosa supplied 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Yukien Andrada chipped in 11 points as all but one of the 14 players fielded by Tenorio contributed at least two points in the wire-to-wire victory.
Magnolia will soon shift focus on its two remaining games of the elimination round, first against TNT on May 5 and then Meralco on May 10–looking, of course, to sweep the MVP teams in a bid to improve its standing.
“This is a big win for us. But hindi pa rito natatapos. We can be happy today, but tomorrow we have to focus on our next game,” Tenorio said.
(C) PBA Images
Michael Gilmore, on the other hand, had 31 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Giant Risers, who are now formally eliminated from contention after falling to 2-8, joining Blackwater and guest team Macau for an early vacation.
Joshua Munzon had 24 points while Jerrick Balanza added 12 markers off the bench in the loss, which is the neophyte franchise’s fifth consecutive.
The Scores:
Magnolia 135 – Chapman 31, Lucero 19, Gomez de Liano 18, Lastimosa 16, Andrada 11, Lee 9, Sangalang 8, Barroca 5, Dela Rosa 5, Taha 5, Verano 3, Gomez 3, Laput 2, Alfaro 0.
Titan Ultra 98 – Gilmore 31, Munzon 24, Balanza 12, Flores 8, Javillonar 8, Sajonia 7, Yu 3, Omega 2, Ambohot 2, Dionisio 1, Caralipio 0, Pessumal 0, Ular 0, Sangco 0, Melecio 0, Cuntapay 0.
Quarterscores: 27-21, 61-41, 99-75, 135-98.
