ANTIPOLO - Magnolia sealed the No. 1 seed in Group B with a 107-103 win over Rain or Shine in the PBA 50th Season Governors' Cup.
Javi Gomez de Liano scored 19 points as the Hotshots' second stringers made the most of the playing time in the fourth quarter.
By improving its record to 7-3 (win-loss), Magnolia arranged a showdown with Group A fourth-seed TNT in the quarterfinal series.
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Magnolia missed the services of star forward Zavier Lucero but the Hotshots found a way to win their sixth straight game.
The Elasto Painters had one chance to tie the game, but Deo Cuajao missed a four-point shot although head coach Yeng Guiao felt that there was contact in the play.
“Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga players, it doesn’t matter who is on the floor because everyday in practice, they practice the same way. Everybody knows the system,” said Magnolia coach LA Tenorio.
Peter Alfaro had 17 points, while Jerom Lastimosa added 16 points for the Hotshots in a game where imports KJ Buffen and Aaron Fuller played less than 20 minutes.
Rain or Shine fell to 6-3, its seeding still to be determined after Friday’s match against Phoenix Super LPG to close the elimination round.
The Elasto Painters were also without Caelan Tiongson due to a rotator cuff injury and Christian Manaytay due to flu.
The scores:
Magnolia 107 – Gomez de Liao 19, Alfaro 17, Lastimosa 16, Buffen 16, Andrada 11, Sangalang 7, Koon 5, Taha 4, Dela Rosa 3, Verano 2, Jopia 2, Gomez 0, Laput 0.
Rain or Shine 103 – Nocum 25, Fuller 18, Lemetti 11, Cuajao 9, Clarito 8, Caracut 8, Malonzo 8, Villegas 7, Santillan 4, David 3, Belga 2, Asistio 0.
Quarters: 32-26; 53-61; 86-81; 107-103.
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