MAGNOLIA completed an elimination-round sweep of Barangay Ginebra with a convincing 112-93 win over its archrival on Sunday in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Manila Clasico II of the conference turned out to be another a no-contest as the Hotshots led by as many as 28 points on the way to a fifth successive win - enough to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
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Magnolia stayed in first place in Group A with a 6-3 win-loss record, as Ginebra fell to fifth place with a 3-5 mark in a tie with Meralco at the bottom.
The Hotshots also won their first round encounter against the Gin Kings in runaway fashion, 88-72, last August 2.
Magnolia got 21 points from Zavier Lucero and held RJ Abarrientos and Jordan Murphy to 30 points after the two combined for 64 in Ginebra's rout of Rain or Shine just last Friday.
"Going into this game, we really focused on defending the execution of Ginebra,” said Magnolia coach LA Tenorio. “When we play against (them), talagang ang kailangan naming bigyan ng pansin is ‘yung execution nila.
“When we were preparing yesterday, the Ginebra that I saw during the Rain or Shine game was the same Ginebra that I see every time they play in the championship… I want to commend the players that they responded to the challenge. I challenged them that we are playing a very disciplined, well-coached team, a champion team. So let’s see kung nasaan na tayo.”
Lucero had a near double-double as he also grabbed nine rebounds, while Jerom Lastimosa had 16 points and seven assists for the Hotshots.
Murphy only had 18 points on 5-of-18 shooting, while Abarrientos had 12 points, and only made one four after he had six threes and three fours against Rain or Shine.
The scores:
Magnolia 112 – Lucero 21, Lastimosa 16, Barroca 15, Buffen 14, Alfaro 12, Sangalang 10, Koon 7, Dela Rosa 4, Laput 4, Andrada 3, Taha 2, Jopia 2, Verano 2, Gomez 0, Gomez de Liano 0.
Barangay Ginebra 93 – Murphy 18, Abarrientos 12, Go 10, R. Aguilar 10, Holt 8, Estil 7, Thompson 5, Gray 5, J. Aguilar 4, Cu 3, Rosarsio 3, Torres 3, Pinto 3, Abis 2.
Quarters: 34-19; 63-46; 87-64; 112-93.
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