MAGNOLIA displayed poise down the stretch to turn back a huge Converge comeback, 105-93, and punch its first win in the PBA Governors Cup Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots went to Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca, and import Glenn Robinson III for the crucial baskets that completed a 7-0 finishing kick by the Hotshots and took the fight out of the FiberXers.
Before the Magnolia trio answered the call, the FiberXers put together a 13-1 run that cut what was once a 21-point deficit to just 98-93 behind the hot three-point shooting of veteran Kevin Racal.
READ Bonnie Tan explains NorthPort decision to replace Johns with Jois
Coach Chito Victolero lamented how the Hotshots let their guards down and allowed Converge to make a game out of it late.
“In the last five minutes of the game, dun nag-relax kami, akala namin panalo na,” said Victolero, whose team was coming off a 99-94 loss to Meralco in the season opener.
“So we need to address that situation. Hindi kami puwedeng ganun lang nga ganun. Kailangan lang namin matuto doon sa nangyari kanina.”
Robinson led the Hotshots with 28 points, Sangalang had 14 like Jerrick Ahanmisi, who became the first player to convert on back-to-back 4-pointers. He went 3-of-4 from that range.
After a 46-point output in his debut, Scotty Hopson was held to just 26 this time, and had eight rebounds and five assists.
But it was Racal who led Converge back as he hit three from three-point range in the fourth quarter to finish with 17 points. He went 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.
A downside for the FiberXers was guard Alec Stockton who was limited to just three points on 1-of-6 shooting from the field after scoring 21 points in the team’s lopsided win over Terrafirma.
Stockton didn't score his first basket until the final 2:41 mark when he completed a three-point play that cut the deficit at 98-90.
Shortly after, Racal buried his final three pointer for the night and made it a five-point contest heading home.
The scores:
Magnolia (105) - Robinson III 28, Ahanmisi 14, Lee 14, Sangalang 14, Abueva 10, Lucero 9, Barroca 7, Laput 2, Escoto 2, Balanza 2, Dela Rosa 2, Dionisio 1, Eriobu 0.
Bonverge (93) - Hopson 26, Racal 17, Andrade 11, Arana 10, Santos 6, Delos Santos 5, Nieto 5, Cabagnot 4, Winston 3, Maagdenberg 3, Stockton 3, Melecio 0, Caralipio 0, Ambohot 0.
Quarterscores: 24-18; 48-41; 82-66; 105-93.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
