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    Hot-shooting Magnolia sends weary NLEX crashing back to earth

    Hot-shooting Magnolia sends weary NLEX crashing back to earth
    Aug 22, 2018
    PHOTO: Marlo Cueto

    MAGNOLIA made short work of a fatigued NLEX side on Wednesday night, opening its PBA Governors Cup campaign with a resounding 102-72 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

    Facing a team playing its third game in six days, the Hotshots stepped on the gas from the get-go and never let up as they ran the erstwhile unbeaten Road Warriors to the ground.

    Mark Barroca and PJ Simon filled the gap left by national player Paul Lee as they combined for 20 points in the first half, where Magnolia took a 25-point lead.

    There was no slowing down from there as the Hotshots dealt an NLEX side missing head coach Yeng Guiao its first loss after a 2-0 start.

    “Before this game, we prepared hard for NLEX’s offense. The battlecry is our defense versus their offense. In their last two games, they averaged 113 points. We want to limit them under 90 points and I’m proud of my players, they did a good job on defense,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero.

    “It’s a total team effort. We started strong and I think yung chemistry ng team medyo maganda. Atleast kahit papaano, 'yung teamwork ni Romeo Travis with locals medyo nagi-improve na,” he added.

    Travis had a solid debut for Magnolia as the former PBA best import finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

    Barroca added 13 points and six boards, Simon finished with 12 while Rome dela Rosa and Bambam Gamalinda contributed 10 points apiece for the Hotshots, who limited the Road Warriors to 38 percent shooting.

    Playing his final game for the Road Warriors before resting his raptured patellar tendon, Olu Ashaolu finished with 21 points, nine boards and two blocked shots.

    No other Road Warrior breached double digits as they suffered their worst loss in franchise history, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.

    The scores:

    Magnolia 102 - Travis 21, Barroca 13, Simon 12, Gamalinda 10, dela Rosa 10 Reavis 8, Melton 7, Jalalon 6, Sangalang 5, Mendoza 4, Ramos 4, Herndon 2, Pascual 0, Brondial 0, Abundo 0.

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    NLEX 72 - Ashaolu 21, Tiongson 8, Fonacier 6, Ighalo 6, Mallari 5, Quinahan 5, Rios 5, Paniamogan 4, Monfort 2, Baguio 2, Miranda 2, Galanza 2, Gotladera 2, Tallo 2, Marcelo 0, Soyud 0.

    Quarters: 31-12, 55-30, 76-52, 102-72

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    PHOTO: Marlo Cueto
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