The rain delay seemingly did more good than harm for Magnolia as it pulled away in the fourth en route to dealing Meralco yet another loss, 105-88, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Friday.
Play was paused due to a severe roof leak at the same venue whose entrance gate was flooded just last week, but the stoppage only allowed the Hotshots to recalibrate and mount a massive rally that left the Bolts behind.
From a slim 71-70 lead entering the payoff period, KJ Buffen opened the scoring fray of the frame, and that triggered the decisive 19-5 scoring spree toward the 90-75 lead with 5:10 remaining, effectively putting the game away.
Magnolia poured 34 big points in the fourth alone, nearly doubling their foes’ output (18) en route to posting back-to-back wins for the first time in the tilt, in the process joining Blackwater at third in Group B as they carry 3-3 records.
(C) PBA images
“Nagtanong na ‘ko kung ano ang mangyayari, ‘yun pala itutuloy yung laro. Honestly, nag-worry ako,” said Coach LA Tenorio of the delay. “But that’s beyond our control. We have to give credit to our players for responding.”
Buffen led the way with 27 points and seven rebounds. Jerom Lastimosa finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and six assists off the bench.
The young point guard was crucial to the run, scoring eight points to outscore the entire Meralco team during that stretch.
Ian Sangalang produced a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds while Zavier Lucero chipped in 10 as the quartet put together the strong finish.
The Hotshots will try to push their winning streak to three when they face Phoenix on Wednesday, August 12, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
(C) PBA Images
Antonio Hester finished with 24 points to lead Meralco, which fell to its fourth straight loss after a 2-0 start in the season-ending conference.
Jason Brickman had 19 points while Chris Newsome and CJ Cansino added 17 and 15, respectively, for a team that remained last in Group B with a 2-5 card.
The Bolts are hoping to figure things out in time when they face Ginebra in another rivalry affair next Friday, August 14, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
Magnolia 105 – Buffen 27, Lastimosa 17, Sangalang 16, Lucero 10, Andrada 8, Lee 7, Dela Rosa 7, Barroca 7, Alfaro 4, Jopia 2, Koon 0
Meralco 88 – Hester 24, Brickman 19, Newsome 17, Cansino 15, Black 6, Quinto 3, Hodge 2, Banchero 2, Bates 0, Mocon 0, Rios 0
Quarterscores: 22-29, 47-48, 71-70, 105-88.
