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 affair, the Hotshots were quick to wrest control by rolling to a 34-19 lead after the first, and 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 winner of five straight and remained on top of the pool with a 6-3 card, and could further solidify its bid of finishing as Group B’s no. 1 team when it takes on current 2-seed Rain or Shine on October 21 in Antipolo.
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 made 16 points and seven assists to lead the bench mob. Mark Barroca made 15 points, import KJ Buffen produced 14 and 10 rebounds, while Peter Alfaro and Ian Sangalang added 12 and 10, respectively.
