MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados turned a close game into a rout with a telling fourth-quarter run against Blackwater, 105-84, on Wednesday in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena.
The Hotshots went on a 35-19 fourth quarter blast to win the game comfortably after only leading by five, 70-65, entering the final 12 minutes of the game.
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Magnolia kept its unbeaten slate to 6-0 to step closer to officially clinching a quarterfinal berth. Past conferences had seen teams entering the playoffs with six wins.
Tyler Bey poured in a double-double, finishing with 26 points and 22 rebounds including key baskets in the fourth quarter.
Blackwater slumped to its sixth straight defeat and fell to 1-6.
Despite being in top spot, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said the emphasis was not to take Blackwater lightly.
“I told them in our preparation na ang Blackwater, puwedeng 4-2, puwedeng 3-3 because ‘yung mga talo nila, sa dulo lang,” said Victolero. “I told them that the word here is respect for this team. We knew na talagang mahihirapan kami.”
The Hotshots unleashed a fiery 9-0 start capped by a three-pointer by Bey to pull away at 79-65. The lead reached as high as 23 points, 103-80, on a three by Russel Escoto.
Paul Lee had 29 points and six assists, while Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang, and Mark Barroca had 10 points each.
Christian David and Myk Ayonayon had 15 points apiece for Blackwater, which only got eight points from import Chris Ortiz.
The scores:
Magnolia 105 – Bey 26, Lee 19, Jalalon 10, Sangalang 10, Barroca 10, Eriobu 9, Tratter 5, Laput 5, Dela Rosa 3, Mendoza 3, Escoto 3, Reavis 2, Ahanmisi 0, Murrell 0, Dionisio 0.
Blackwater 84 – David 15, Ayonayon 15, Rosario 14, Ilagan 13, Suerte 13, Ortiz 8, Guinto 3, Amer 2, Escoto 1, Ular 0, Hill 0.
Quarters: 27-23; 52-47; 70-65; 105-84.
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