Magnolia spoiled what could’ve been a double celebration for Blackwater following a dominant display toward a 106-84 victory in a battle between PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup debutants, Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Jubilation was within the Bossing camp when head coach Jeffrey Cariaso got named to the league’s 50 Greatest Players last Wednesday and a victory in their first game of the conference would’ve served as icing on the cake.
But the Hotshots spoiled the party with a strong showing, dictating the pace right from the get-go on their way to a triumphant start to the tllt — with the hope that it leads to a better campaign after a quarterfinal exit in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Credit to the players,” said head coach Chito Victolero. “In terms of preparation, they worked hard during practice and we tried to give emphasis now on the little things na medyo nakalimutan namin noong last conference.”
A total of five players scored in double figures in the win, with young forward Zavier Lucero leading the way with 21 points and seven rebounds.
Ian Sangalang finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, with veteran floor general Mark Barroca supplying 14 points.
Calvin Abueva, now sporting jersey no. 73, provided 13 points and six rebounds. Rookie Jerom Lastimosa had 13 as well alongside five boards.
“We just tried to focus on our defense and ball movement during our four-week preparation and I think lumabas naman sa laro ngayon,” said Victolero.
“Medyo gumanda ‘yung depensa namin. We limited them under 90 point,s and that’s good for us and, also, we had (21) assists. I think that’s because of our ball movement, naging maganda ‘yung motion offense namin,” he added.
While the champion mentor was left impressed with how his wards performed, the same definitely can’t be said with Cariaso, whose Bossing gave up 37 points and caught themselves staring at a 15-point deficit after the first quarter.
They did fight back in the second period and even got close to within four points, but the same issue they had in the opening frame resurfaced in the third canto as they allowed the Hotshots to pour 32 for an 85-66 lead.
Wasted by the loss was Christian David’s 31-point effort. Ditto with the 24 of Sedrick Barefield as the two carried the load for Blackwater but to no avail.
Magnolia will shoot for back-to-back wins to start the conference when it faces Converge on the league’s anniversary on April 9 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, serving as the opening salvo to the San Miguel-Meralco main event.
The Scores:
Magnolia 106 – Lucero 21, Sangalang 15, Barroca 14, Lastimosa 13, Abueva 13, Dela Rosa 8, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Alfaro 2, Ahanmisi 2, Laput 2, Escoto 2, Reavis 0, Balanza 0, Eriobu 0.
Blackwater 84 – David 31, Barefield 24, Casio 6, Escoto 4, Tungcab 4, Ayonayon 4, Mallilin 4, Andrade 2, Chua 2, Guinto 2, Mitchell 1, Caperal 0, Jopia 0, Kwekuteye 0.
Quarterscores: 37-22, 53-46, 85-66, 106-84.
