ANTIPOLO — The glory days are back for Magnolia after the storied franchise wrapped up the PBA 2018 Governors’ Cup championship with a runaway 102-86 win over Alaska in Game Six at the Ynares Center.
Romeo Travis, held to 10 points in Game Five, scored 15 points after just one quarter on Wednesday night as the Hotshots opened the game with 12 unanswered points and never wavered the rest of the way.
By wrapping up a 4-2 win in the best-of-seven series, the storied franchise wrapped up its 14th championship overall but only its first since Tim Cone led the Hotshots to only the fourth grand slam season in league history back in 2014.
The victory also completed San Miguel Corporation’s sweep of all three conference titles this season. San Miguel Beer ruled the all-Filipino Philippine Cup while Barangay Ginebra emerged champion in the Commissioner's Cup.
Travis captured his first-ever PBA crown after coming home empty-handed in the 2015 Governors’ Cup when he was playing for Alaska.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero won his first-ever PBA crown in just his second season with the Hotshots as Alaska remained without a championship in five finals appearances under Alex Compton.
Travis finished with 32 points and 17 rebounds for the Hotshots, while Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang added 16 points each.
“I think ‘yung start ng laro na ‘to, hindi lang today nag-start ‘yun eh. Nag-start ‘yun sa four days preparation namin noong break. Nakita ko talaga sa mga players ko na they want this game. They want the championship. They are very focused doon sa preparation namin,” said Victolero.
“In the first three minutes, lumitaw agad ‘yung gusto namin makuha ‘yung championship. Maganda ‘yung start, na-sustain namin hanggang sa dulo.”
Lee connected on a triple to bring Magnolia’s lead to 20 points, 85-65, early in the third quarter and the Hotshots steamrolled from there.
Mike Harris, the Best Import of the conference, had 26 points and 24 rebounds, while Chris Banchero had 20 points as Alaska’s season came to a disappointing end.
The scores:
Magnolia 102 – Travis 32, Lee 16, Sangalang 16, Barroca 13, Jalalon 11, Dela Rosa 7, Herndon 5, Brondial 2, Melton 0, Reavis 0.
Alaska 86 –Harris 26, Banchero 20, Teng 14, Enciso 9, Cruz 6, Racal 5, Baclao 4, Thoss 2, Magat 0, Pascual 0, Galliguez 0, Casio 0.
Quarterscores: 32-18; 60-42; 80-63; 102-86.
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