Magnolia did figure things out, unfortunately for head coach Tim Cone, as it took down Ginebra with an 88-73 win to get back on track in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Sunday night.
The league’s winningest mentor had warned that the Hotshots would find ways to get through their shaky start in the tilt, but wished in jest that they do so after their meeting at the Big Dome.
Too bad that the Hotshots did so in their very game, authoring this latest chapter of the Manila Clasico in their favor.
And all that they needed was one quarter to take command, owning the second to turn a slim one-point lead to a 53-43 advantage at the break. Then the team pulled away for good in the third as the opposition struggled to respond.
In those middle quarters, Magnolia poured 50 points while limiting the Barangay to only 33 as they relied on defense to eventually net just their second win.
The result created a three-way tie at third in Group B as the traditional contenders and Blackwater all carry identical 2-3 win-loss records.
“Very unpredictable ‘yung group namin. We really have to find ways to win every game, especially in this coming second round,” head coach LA Tenorio said.
Zavier Lucero led the Hotshots with 24 points and 10 rebounds, scoring 22 in just the first half alone to lead their big second-quarter charge.
Import KJ Buffen came through with a double-double of his own with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Ian Sangalang had 16 and seven off the bench.
“We needed it, especially over Ginebra. It puts us over them. We need the next ones. Every game counts right now. We dropped a few,” said Lucero. “We can’t really take anyone lightly; we have to treat every game like it’s a must-win.”
Magnolia will open its second round with a rematch against the skidding Meralco Bolts on Friday, August 7, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Stephen Holt and Riley Grigsby finished with 17 and 15 points, respectively, and collected five rebounds apiece for the crowd darlings in the defeat.
The Kings actually showed some signs of life late when they trimmed an 83-65 deficit with a quick 7-0 run sparked by rookie John Abis. However, the opposition refused to let up as Buffen, Sangalang, and Barroca finished it off.
Ginebra will return to action next Sunday, August 9, with another meeting against the Bossing at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium as well.
The Scores:
Magnolia 88 – Lucero 24, Buffen 23, Sangalang 16, Lastimosa 5, Koon 5, Alfaro 4, Barroca 4, Andrada 3, Dela Rosa 2, Gomez de Liano 2, Lee 0, Jopia 0.
Ginebra 73 – Holt 17, Grigsby 15, Rosario 9, J.Aguilar 7, Abarrientos 6, Abis 6, Cu 5, Pinto 4, Gray 4, Go 0.
Quarterscores: 25-24, 53-43, 75-57, 88-73.
