MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados started the PBA Philippine Cup with a 106-84 rout of Blackwater on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Zavier Lucero had 21 points and seven rebounds in his first Philippine Cup game for the Hotshots, who had a 32-20 third quarter to blow out the Bossing.
Four more players scored in double digits for Magnolia including Ian Sangalang, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds in the Hotshots’ first game since their early quarterfinal exit in the Commissioner’s Cup.
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Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said the one-month preparation showed in the win.
“We just tried to focus on our defense and ball movement during ‘yung break namin, ‘yung four-week preparation namin,” said Victolero. “And I think lumabas naman lalo ngayon. Medyo gumanda ‘yung defense namin and we limit them under 90 points and that’s good for us. And we also have more than 20 assists.”
Mark Barroca had 14 points, while Jerom Lastimosa and Calvin Abueva added 13 points each for the Hotshots.
Christian David had 31 points, and rookie Sedrick Barefield chipped in 24 points and seven assists for the Blackwater but the pair were the only double-digit scorer for the Bossing.
The scores:
Magnolia 106 – Lucero 21, Sangalang 15, Barroca 14, Lastimosa 13, Abueva 13, Dela Rosa 8, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Alfaro 2, Escoto 2, Laput 2, Ahanmisi 2, Reavis 0, Eriobu 0, Balanza 0.
Blackwater 84 – David 31, Barefield 24, Casio 6, Tungcab 4, Escoto 4, Ayonayon 4, Mallilin 4, Andrade 2, Guinto 2, Chua 2, Mitchell 1, Jopia 0, Caperal 0, Kwekuteye 0.
Quarters: 37-22; 53-46; 85-66; 106-84.
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