MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados got out of its slump, snapping the four-game winning streak of NorthPort, 104-97, on Wednesday in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Ian Sangalang had a career-night in scoring with 32 points while also hauling 13 rebounds in a game where Calvin Abueva returned from a one-game suspension.
Abueva did it all for Magnolia in his return, finishing with six points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals as Magnolia evened its record to 2-2 following defeats against Barangay Ginebra and NLEX over the past few weeks.
NorthPort’s winning run came to an end on Wednesday to fall to 4-2.
READ Big night for big men: Tautuaa, Sangalang, Go, Lucero show off
Sangalang’s putback in the 3:41-mark of the game capped off a 5-0 swing for Magnolia to break an 89-89 deadlock.
Mark Barroca also came up big despite playing with a sprained right hand, draining a jumper with 24.1 seconds left for a 102-97 lead to stave off a late NorthPort rally.
Barroca finished with 12 points, 10 assists, and five steals after struggling in the first half.
The Hotshots got back to their offensive rhythm after failing to break the 90-point barrier in their two previous defeats.
Injuries have also affected their preparation with Rome Dela Rosa and Aris Dionisio still out.
“That’s our problem in our last two games, our offense,” said Victolero. “We talked about our ball movement, sharing the ball, and sacrificing. The last time we played, we only had 16 assists. Our goal was around 22 to 24 assists per game kaya mababa ang points namin.”
“We had a bad preparation the last time because we only had eight, nine players in practice and majority of them were big man. But no excuses… ‘Yung practice namin yesterday and the day before, sobrang ganda,” said Victolero.
Zavier Lucero had 18 points and seven rebounds, while Fran Yu had 15 points. Arvin Tolentino was limited to 14 markers for NorthPort.
The scores:
Magnolia 104 – Sangalang 32, Laput 14, Ahanmisi 13, Lee 13, Barroca 12, Mendoza 7, Abueva 6, Eriobu 3, Escoto 2, Tratter 1, Jalalon 1, Murrell 0.
NorthPort 97 – Lucero 16, Yu 15, Tolentino 14, Munzon 11, Zamar 9, Navarro 9, Rosales 8, Paraiso 8, Flores 5, Calma 0, Bulanadi 0, Adamos 0.
Quarters: 23-22; 46-45; 78-73; 104-97.
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