MAGNOLIA survived a sluggish first quarter in routing hapless Blackwater, 91-69, on Sunday to stay on top of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup standings at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots trailed 19-22 after the first quarter but stepped on the gas in the next three to nail their sixth win in seven games while buring the Bossing deeper in the standings.
Import Nicholas Rakocevic posted 17 points and 15 rebounds while Ian Sangalang added 17 points to lead the Hotshots, who bounced back from a frustrating 97-103 defeat to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last October 23.
“We came from a loss and a long break,” Magnolia assistant coach Jason Webb said. “We didn’t play the week before. The guys responded well to our defensive plans so it was our best defensive game of the year.”
“We limited them to the 60s. That’s the key there … we got back to our identity,” he added.
Jerrick Ahanmisi scored 14 points while Jio Jalalon delivered 13 points and nine assists and Mark Barroca had nine points for Magnolia.
Magnolia posted biggest widest advantage at 83-58 early in the fourth quarter.
Import Cameron Krutwig was limited to eight points but collared 16 rebounds while Ato Ular had 14 points for the Bossing, who suffered their third straight defeat to drop to 3-6 won-lost.
Image credits: Rudy Esperas