Magnolia pulled away late to beat Rain or Shine, 103-88, and go 9-0 in the PBA On Tour, Saturday at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center in Dumaguete.
Jio Jalalon led the way with 23 points, seven assists, and five steals as he sparked the Hotshots’ 12-0 run for a 92-75 lead with eight minutes left to play, enough to cruise their way into sealing their place as the best team of the preseason.
Coach Chito Victolero’s wards are sure to finish with the best record regardless of how their remaining games versus Phoenix and Terrafirma will turn out.
The Elasto Painters, who are at no. 2, dropped to 6-2 following the loss, with Blackwater (6-3) and Meralco (6-4) at third and fourth, respectively.
Jerrick Ahanmisi delivered as well with 18 points spiked by four triples, stepping up Paul Lee out as the star guard is in the States to attend to family matters. Rome Dela Rosa made 13 points while Dave Murrell added 10 markers.
Abu Tratter and Calvin Abueva combined for only 10 points but made sure to own the boards, garnering 14 and 10, respectively, of Magnolia’s 62 rebounds.
Wasted by the loss, on the other hand, were the efforts of Jhonard Clarito in leading Rain or Shine. He finished with 17 points, nine boards, and five assists.
Gian Mamuyac provided 14 points while Andrei Caracut chipped in 13 for the Elasto Painters, who were coming off a 106-100 win over TNT.
The Scores:
Magnolia 103 – Jalalon 22, Ahanmisi 18, Dela Rosa 13, Murrell 10, Barroca 9, Laput 8, Eriobu 5, Abueva 4, Tratter 4, Mendoza 4, Corpuz 0, Reavis 0.
Rain or Shine 88 – Clarito 15, Mamuyac 14, Caracut 13, Santillan 9, Asistio 9, Ildefonso 8, Belga 6, Ponferrada 5, Belo 5, Borboran 2.
Quarterscores: 18-27, 48-42, 76-72, 103-88.
