Mike Harris reminded his former team what it missed as he powered Magnolia to a 118-91 rout of Alaska for their third consecutive win in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The former Best Import poured 38 points and 10 rebounds in just three quarters on the Aces, the same team he led to the Finals of the same tilt in 2018 but wasn’t called back the next season as the club underwent changes.
Harris actually scored the game’s first two points through a pull-up jumper, which proved to be a foreshadowing of what’s to come. He scored 18 in the opening period, 16 of which he made to lead a hot 21-6 start.
The 38-year-old already had 20 at the end of the first half, but not even the break cooled him down. He made 10 in Magnolia’s 12-5 spurt to open the third canto that led to a commanding 73-51 lead with 8:21 on the clock.
Harris scored 18 of his team’s 26 points in the said period, where he was brought out with 2:20 left and never fielded back in anymore as the Hotshots went on to spoil the jersey retirement of Alaska great Sonny Thoss.
“Wala akong masasabi sa import ko na ‘to,” lauded head coach Chito Victolero of the American, a pro since 2005. “Talagang he’s a leader. Kumbaga, nakakuha ako talaga ng talagang bagay na bagay sa team namin.”
The game actually has no bearing anymore for the Hotshots since they’ve already secured the twice-to-beat first, and the top seed as well when Meralco bowed to Shabazz Muhammad and San Miguel on Saturday night.
Still, Victolero was proud to see his wards treat the match with much seriousness that led to their ninth win in 10 games.
“Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na there’s no such thing as no bearing,” he said. “Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na kailangan namin yung game because that’s our job, that’s our responsibility, and we need to respect the game.”
Ian Sangalang returned to action after missing the San Miguel game last Wednesday due to knee issues. The 6-foot-7 slotman even finished with 14 points and six rebounds as he only played for 17 minutes.
Jio Jalalon made 12 points and 11 rebounds. Jackson Corpuz added 12 markers as well for Magnolia, who also welcomed Rome Dela Rosa back in the fold after sitting out for weeks no thanks to a hamstring injury.
“We just tried to focus on the game at hand. We’re trying to get the momentum that we want going into the playoffs,” said Victolero.
Rookie RK Ilagan led the Aces with a career-high 14 points in the loss that ended their elimination round campaign with a 6-5 record.
Olu Ashaolu and Maverick Ahanmisi had 12 apiece. Allyn Bulanadi added 11 for Alaska, who actually rallied in the second period and came within just six, 43-49, until Mark Barroca and Rafi Reavis restored order for Magnolia.
The Scores:
Magnolia 118 – Harris 38, Sangalang 14, Corpuz 12, Jalalon 12, Lee 8, Escoto 8, Barroca 7, Wong 7, Reavis 4, Dionisio 3, De Leon 3, Dela Rosa 2, Brill 0, Ahanmisi 0, Capobres 0.
Alaska 91 – Ilagan 14, Ashaolu 12, Ahanmisi 12, Bulanadi 11, Taha 8, Stockton 7, Teng 6, Tratter 6, Digregorio 5, Faundo 4, Tolomia 4, Marcelino 2, Adamos 0, Publico 0, Racal 0.
Quarterscores: 37-18, 61-45, 87-67, 118-91.
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