Magnolia vented its ire on Terrafirma, 104-91, for a big rebound in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Their upset loss to Rain or Shine last Saturday in Cagayan de Oro still fresh in their minds, the Hotshots immediately dictated the pace in the first 12 minutes and played consistently the rest of the way to make it back to the win column.
With the win, the crew improved to 8-1 and seized the solo lead once more after sharing it briefly with Phoenix Super LPG (7-1). The Fuel Masters joined them on top earlier in the night following a 113-104 conquest of NorthPort.
“Sinabi ko lang na ayaw namin maulit yung nangyari sa Cagayan na bad start. Nag-respond naman sila,” said head coach Chito Victolero.
Tyler Bey top-billed for Magnolia with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, along with a pair of steals in the dominant bounce-back.
Ian Sangalang finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, while star gunner Paul Lee supplied 16 points, three rebounds, and seven assists.
Lee scored 10 of his points in the first quarter, which Magnolia ended in their favor, 29-16, to set up the romp that saw them lead by as many as 31.
Jio Jalalon was in his all-around element once more by tallying a 13-5-6 statline with three steals, as four players scored in twin digits in the victory.
Juami Tiongson, on the other hand, registered 17 points to lead Terrafirma, who fell to its fifth straight loss and dropped to 2-6 in the standings.
Gelo Alolino had 13 points. Stephen Holt made 12 points and seven assists, while Javi Gomez de Liano added 11 as the locals carried much of the load with Thomas de Thaey hardly a factor with 11 points on eight attempts.
Both teams will return to action on Saturday, December 23, at the Big Dome. The Dyip will open the double-header versus the streaking Elasto Painters (3-5) at 3 p.m., while the Hotshots take on the 1-7 Converge at 6:15 p.m.
The Scores:
Magnolia 104 – Bey 25, Sangalang 18, Lee 16, Jalalon 13, Barroca 7, Dionisio 6, Reavis 4, Laput 4, Tratter 4, Dela Rosa 3, Corpuz 2, Murrell 2, Ahanmisi 0, Eriobu 0, Mendoza 0, Escoto 0.
Terrafirma 91 –Tiongson 17, Alolino 13, Holt 12, De Thaey 11, Gomez de Liano 11, Cahilig 7, Ramos 6, Sangalang 6, Mina 4, Go 2, Daquioag 2, Calvo 0, Camson 0, Miller 0, Carino 0.
Quarterscores: 29-16, 57-38, 91-60, 104-91.
