MAGNOLIA cruised to a 88-73 win over Barangay Ginebra on Sunday to arrest, at least for now, its alarming start to the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots won for only the second time in five games, doing so in their ‘Manila Clasico’ rivalry that they turned into a lopsided contest thanks to a defense that held the Gin Kings to 38.6-percent shooting overall.
READ Tenorio says Magnolia defended Abarrientos 'like he's an import'
Zavier Lucero and KJ Buffen took command as Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio won for only the second time in three meetings against his former ballclub.
Magnolia was quick to atone after losing to Rain or Shine, 98-97, on Friday on a game-winner by Adrian Nocum, tying Ginebra and Blackwater at third in the team standings with a 2-3 win-loss record in Group B.
“It’s hard after a really frustrating or disappointing loss last Friday,” Magnolia coach LA Tenorio said. “We came out aggressive defensively in today’s game. Give credit talaga to my players. They really responded to the challenge na binigay ko sa kanila.
Lucero had 22 of his 24 points in the first half where the Hotshots posted a 53-43 lead at the break. Buffen added 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Magnolia later built a 77-57 lead in the fourth quarter.
The Hotshots limited Gin Kings import Riley Grigsby to only 15 points on 5-of-19 from the field and RJ Abarrientos to six points on a 2-of-9 clip.
The scores:
Magnolia 88 – Lucero 24, Buffen 23, Sangalang 16, Lastimosa 5, Koon 5, Barroca 4, Alfaro 4, Andrada 3, Dela Rosa 2, Gomez de Liano 2, Lee 0, Jopia 0.
Barangay Ginebra 73 – Holt 17, Grigsby 15, Rosario 9, J. Aguilar 7, Abis 6, Abarrientos 6, Cu 5, Pinto 4, Gray 4, Go 0.
Quarters: 25-24; 53-43; 75-57; 88-73.
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