MAGNOLIA went on a third-quarter tear to gun down NLEX, 99-72, and stretch its winning run in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Friday night at the Philsports Arena.
Paul Lee and pesky guard Jio Jalalon spearheaded a game-changing 15-0 run that finally had the Hoshots taking control of a game that was a nip-and-tuck affair in the first half.
The scoring blast erased a three-point deficit to a 68-56 lead which Magnolia never relinquished
The Hotshots' fifth straight win kept them on top of the standings at 5-0 and spoiled the debut of NLEX import Stokley Chaffee, who took over from Thomas Robinson.
"Si Jio kasi ang spark namin. He's our energy guy. When he came in in the third quarter, nag-iba na yung tempo ng game," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero of Jalalon, last season's Defensive Player of the Year.
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Jalalon finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists to complement import Tyler Bey (23 points), Mark Barroca (19 and nine assists), Lee (14), and big man James Laput, who tallied a career-high of 16 points.
NLEX fell to a 2-3 record despite Chaffee coming through with 23 points and 19 rebounds in his first game on local soil. He did commit eight of the 21 turnovers by the Road Warriors, though.
Kris Rosales was the lone local in double figures for NLEX with 15 points as he, Chaffee, and Don Trollano carried the load in the first half which ended in favor of the Road Warriors, 46-44.
The 72 points of NLEX incidentally, is also a conference low after being held to just 26 points in the second half.
The scores:
Magnolia (99) - Bey 23, Barroca 19, Lapit 16, Lee 14, Jalalon 11, Dionisio 6, Ahanmisi 3, Sangalang 2, Murrell 2, Eriobu 2, Tratter 1, Dela Rosa 0, Escoto 0.
NLEX (72) - Chaffee 23, Rosales 15, Ganuelas-Rosser 7, Nieto 6, Trollano 5, Rodger 3, Anthony 3, Herndon 3, Semerad 3, Miranda 2, Jake Pascual 2, Doliguez 0, Gabo 0.
Quarterscores: 24-24; 44-46; 74-60: 99-72.
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