Magnolia leaned on experience down the stretch in pulling away late to beat an import-less NorthPort, 105-94, for back-to-back wins in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup, Wednesday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Aris Dionisio nailed a trey, Paul Lee converted from point-blank, and then Glenn Robinson III served the exclamation point in their 7-0 run for a 101-91 lead with 1:26 left to play that proved enough for the Hotshots to go above .500.
“That’s the minimum goal that we set — to go above .500. We’re happy, but not content. We’ll try to improve in the second round,” said Coach Chito Victolero.
Robinson III top-scored in the win with 25 points and 11 rebounds, nailing the crucial triple to break an 87-all deadlock with 4:49 to go that fully shifted momentum in their favor after engaging in a nip-and-tuck affair.
Lee finished with 20 points and 11 assists as he’s been facilitating for his teammates over their past few outings. It was him who found Dionisio open on the left corner for the trifecta that triggered the aforementioned run.
Zavier Lucero registered his own double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds as he helped apply the finishing touches in the victory that hiked Magnolia’s record to 3-2, which placed them at third in the Group A standings.
Jerrick Ahanmisi and Calvin Abueva added 10 points apiece as the crew got through the tough challenge imposed by a Batang Pier side that missed the services of Venky Jois and William Navarro due to minor sprains.
“Sobrang hirap because the other team would play hard. On the other side, it’s a question of competition. We’re kind of in the middle of that. At the half, we have to remind our players we have to play on both ends,” said Victolero.
His wards did, eventually sending NorthPort skidding as it was coming off a 109-99 defeat at the hands of Meralco just last Sunday — the same game where Jois and Navarro got hurt, according to head coach Bonnie Tan.
Cade Flores led the Batang Pier with a career-high 23 points, alongside 16 rebounds in the loss that dropped their card to 2-3.
Both teams will go back to action this weekend, with Magnolia set to face Meralco in a rematch of the season opener this Saturday at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Sports, and Cultural Center in Davao del Norte.
NorthPort, on the other hand, will take on Christian Standhardinger and Terrafirma on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores :
Magnolia 105 – Robinson 25, Lee 20, Lucero 16, Ahanmisi 10, Abueva 10, Sangalang 8, Barroca 5, Dionisio 5, Balanza 2, Dela Rosa 2, Laput 1, Mendoza 0, Eriobu 0
Northport 94 – Flores 23, Munzon 13, Cuntapay 12, Tolentino 11, Yu 10, Onwubere 7, Jalalon 5, Bulanadi 4, Tratter 4, Nelle 3, Amores 2, Taha 0
Quarterscores: 23-22, 46-46, 76-73, 105-94
