Magnolia sent NLEX skidding, 119-103, to roll to its third straight win in the PBA Governors’ Cup, Thursday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Jio Jalalon was just a rebound short of a rare triple-double with 17 points, nine boards, and 12 assists as he starred in the Hotshots’ third-quarter reversal, where they erupted for 39 big points to seize control of the game for good.
“Grind lang nang grind kasi NLEX is sobrang dangerous din nja team. Kailangan naming manalo. Binigay namin ‘yung energy namin sa third para makahabol,” said the do-it-all playmaker, who also collected two steals.
Antonio Hester top-scored for Magnolia with 37 points, together with 15 rebounds and five assists in the win that hiked their card to 3-3.
The replacement import went a perfect 2-for-2 from deep, one of which ignited their third-quarter rally after facing a 66-55 deficit.
Paul Lee made 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists but it was his work on defense that drew praises as he anchored the plan in limiting Wayne Selden to just 11 in the second half after a 14-point showing in the first 24 minutes.
The former NBA cager finished with 25 points on 20 attempts and committed six turnovers, although he had four rebounds and nine assists.
“It was all about adjustments in the second half. I told them we needed to get our pace kasi NLEX had the pace in the first half,” said coach Chito Victolero.
Mark Barroca and Aris Dionisio had 13 points apiece while Calvin Abueva added 10 markers and eight boards in helping continue the team’s resurgence.
Magnolia will take on another streaking team in Rain or Shine (2-4) on February 22, Wednesday, at 5:45 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, on the other hand, had 20 points and seven rebounds for the Road Warriors, who absorbed their second straight loss after beginning the conference with four consecutive victories.
NLEX will look to break out of its slump — and get its first win with Selden — against the 5-1 Converge on Saturday, 6:45 p.m. also at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Magnolia 119 – Hester 37, Lee 18, Jalalon 17, Barroca 13, Dionisio 13, Abueva 10, Corpuz 4, Escoto 4, Dela Rosa 3, Ahanmisi 0, Reavis 0, Wong 0, Laput 0.
NLEX 103 – Selden Jr. 25, Ganuelas-Rosser 20, Rosales 19, Trollano 16, Alas 15, Semerad 4, Gabo 2, Pascual 2.
Quarterscores: 25-29, 49-50, 88-79, 119-103.
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
