Magnolia became the first from Group B to clinch a quarterfinal spot in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup after completing an elimination round sweep of Barangay Ginebra, 112-93, on Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
In a Manila Clasico that hardly felt like a rivalry, the Hotshots quickly wrested control by rolling to a 34-19 lead after the first. The team then broke away wide in the second half to pull off a repeat against the Kings in this conference alone.
Coach LA Tenorio & Co. beat the crowd darlings back in the first round, 88-73, last August 2 for their third in four meetings in the league’s golden season.
Magnolia is now a five-game winner and remains on top of the pool with a 6-3 record. It could further solidify its bid to finish as Group B’s No. 1 team when it takes on current 2-seed Rain or Shine on October 21 in Antipolo.
(C) PBA Images
“It’s a good achievement for us — for now. But we want to get over the hump. The goal is not just to enter the quarterfinals,” offered Tenorio.
“Our goal is much bigger than the quarterfinals. We pray that we continue the momentum.”
Six players finished in double figures in the win, led by Zavier Lucero with 21 points and nine rebounds on the way to being named Player of the Game.
Jerom Lastimosa delivered 16 points and seven assists to lead the bench mob. Mark Barroca made 15 points, while import KJ Buffen produced 14 and 10 rebounds.
Peter Alfaro and Ian Sangalang added 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
“We really focused on defending the execution of Ginebra,” said Tenorio, whose men held the opposition to a 38.2-percent field-goal clip after a blistering shooting display against Rain or Shine the last time out.
The loss, on the other hand, dealt a tough blow to Ginebra’s playoff chances. Coach Tim Cone’s charges fell outside the Top Four with a 3-5 record, with Blackwater overtaking the No. 4 spot for now with a 3-4 record.
So, that makes their two remaining games against Phoenix Super LPG (4-3) on October 18 and the Bossing on October 23 must-win outings.
(C) PBA Images
Jordan Murphy led the Kings with 18 points on 18 shots and seven rebounds, far from his splendid showing against the Elasto Painters.
RJ Abarrientos was also limited to only 12 points after firing 34 in their last game. Isaac Go made 10 markers, with Raymond Aguilar adding 10 as well, although the veteran forward earned those during garbage time.
The Scores:
Magnolia 112 – Lucero 21, Lastimosa 16, Barroca 15, Buffen 14, Alfaro 12, Sangalang 10, Koon 7, Laput 4, Dela Rosa 4, Andrada 3, Jopia 2, Verano 2, Taha 2, Gomez 0, Gomez de Liano 0.
Ginebra 93 – Murphy 18, Abarrientos 12, Go 10, R.Aguilar 10,Holt 8, Estil 7, Gray 5, Thompson 5, J.Aguilar 4, Cu 3, Rosario 3, Torres 3, Pinto 3, Abis 2
Quarterscores: 34-19, 63-46, 87-64, 112-93.
