Magnolia went on a rampage in the third quarter en route to dealing an adjusting NLEX a 99-72 decimation to stretch its unbeaten run to five in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Friday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The trio of Tyler Bey, Jio Jalalon, and Mark Barroca joined hands in kick-starting the Hotshots’ engine, which steamrolled to a 15-0 blitz for a 68-56 lead that proved to be the start of a one-sided race in favor of the conference’s top team.
“We had a bad start again but after a few minutes, naka-recover kami,” said head coach Chito Victolero postgame. “I told the guys at halftime that this isn’t going to be an easy game, we need to grind every possession.”
Bey top-scored for Magnolia with 23 points, six rebounds, a steal, and three blocks as he received a bit of respite thanks to the romp.
Barroca finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and nine assists, while Jalalon flirted with a triple-double as he tallied an 11-8-8 stat line.
Jalalon was the star of their 30-point explosion in the third, which saw him make things happen on both ends — including a quick-witted steal off Road Warriors new import Stokley Chaffee that led to a fastbreak opportunity.
James Laput made his presence felt as well with a career-high 16 points, while star gunner Paul Lee chipped in 14 markers in the romp.
Magnolia will look to continue its winning ways against the skidding Blackwater on December 6, Wednesday, 8 p.m. still at Philsports.
NLEX’s loss, on the other hand, spoiled the debut of Chaffee, who finished with team-highs of 23 points and 19 rebounds against eight turnovers.
“They had a new import na hindi namin kilala,” said Victolero as Chaffee, Thomas Robinson’s replacement, already had 13 and 14 in the first half.
“Wala kami masyadong scouting report, although meron kaming mga highlights niya. But after the first half, alam na namin ‘yung gagawin namin.”
Chaffee hardly received any support aside from Kris Rosales, who supplied 15 points in the loss that also served as a harsh welcome to Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who’s fully recovered from stress fractures in his left leg.
Now at 2-3, the Road Warriors will look to rebound against the 3-1 Meralco on Sunday, December 3, 3 p.m. still at Philsports.
The Scores:
Magnolia 99 – Bey 23, Barroca 19, Laput 16, Lee 14, Jalalon 11, Dionisio 6, Ahanmisi 3, Eriobu 2, Sangalang 2, Murrell 2, Tratter 1, Dela Rosa 0, Escoto 0.
NLEX 72 – Chaffee 23, Rosales 15, Ganuelas-Rosser 7, Nieto 6, Trollano 5, Anthony 3, Herndon 3, Rodger 3, Semerad 3, Miranda 2, Pascual 2, Gabo 0, Doliguez 0
Quarterscores: 24-24, 44-46, 74-60, 99-72.
