Magnolia added Meralco to its list of casualties, 121-101, to stay undefeated in the PBA On Tour, Sunday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Paul Lee led the way with 28 points built on seven treys, including 13 in the second period as the Hotshots seized control of the game before pulling away for good late in the third en route to their seventh win in as many outings.
“Tulad ng sinasabi ko before, we want to make good habits,” said coach Chito Victolero. “We want that culture na ma-build namin through this preseason.”
Jio Jalalon finished with 18 points and six assists. James Laput made 14 points and 10 rebounds, Mark Barroca had 12, while Joseph Eriobu and Jerrick Ahanmisi chipped in 11 markers apiece in the triumph.
The win was by no means smooth-sailing all throughout, though. Down by 15 early in the third, the Bolts managed to cut the gap to only four points behind Bong Quinto with about three minutes to go in the said period.
But Barroca sparked a 12-0 run to establish an 85-69 lead, and Magnolia would be in cruise control from that point onwards.
“Sometimes, we’re out of control, sometimes, medyo maganda yung takbo,” Victolero said. “Marami pa rin kaming dapat ma-improve, but I’m very happy dahil ‘yung commitment ng players, ng whole team nandoon.”
Wasted by the blowout loss, on the other hand, was the big night of Diego Dario as he finished with 22 points on six triples to lead Meralco.
Hoping to keep their winning ways after beating TNT the last time out, the Bolts actually started well with a 17-10 lead. But, the Hotshots put together 17 unanswered points, and the former would trail the rest of the way.
Quinto had 14 points. Cliff Hodge and Franky Johnson made 13 apiece, while Norbert Torres and Raymond Almazan added 12 and 10, respectively.
The Scores:
Magnolia 121 – Lee 28, Jalalon 18, Laput 14, Barroca 12, Eriobu 11, Ahanmisi 11, Tratter 8, Murrell 6, Mendoza 6, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 3.
Meralco 101 – Dario 22, Quinto 14, Hodge 13, Johnson 13, Torres 12, Almazan 10, Maliksi 8, Pascual 7, Jose 2, Pasaol 0.
Quarterscores: 27-18, 59-45, 88-70, 121-101
