VICTORIES keep on coming for Magnolia in the PBA On Tour as the Hotshots dominated an undermanned TNT side on Friday night, 96-63, at the Ynares Sports Arena
Rome Dela Rosa provided the early spark for the Hotshots before Joseph Eriobu, Mark Barroca, and James Laput sustained the team's run to a fifth straight win.
Dela Rosa scored 13 of his team-high 19 points in the first half, which ended with a 12-0 Magnolia run for a 43-31 lead.
The Tropang Giga, who played with only 10 players, remain winless in three preseason games.
“We want to build that winning culture, but at the same time that winning culture starts on the small battles, it means the possessions, rebounding, hustles, and even the deflections. We have to work on that first para makuha namin yung winning culture na yun,” said coach Chito Victolero.
Five other players finished in double figures for the Hotshots with Eriobu accounting for 14 points, and Barroca, Laput, David Murrell, and Jerrick Ahanmisi each contributing 11.
Laput also grabbed 13 rebounds for a double-double.
The Hotshots, who played minus Paul Lee, Calvin Abueva, Abu Tratter, and Russel Escoto, held their biggest lead at 33.
TNT was led by the 23 points of Glenn Khobuntin, while Carl Bryan Cruz and Paul Varilla added 11 and 10, respectively.
Chief deputy Sandy Arespacochaga called the shots for the Tropang Giga anew in the absence of head coach Jojo Lastimosa.
TNT also missed the services of Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, and Poy Erram, who are all included in the 20-man Gilas Pilipinas pool to the FIBA World Cup, as well as veterans Kelly Williams Ryan Reyes, and guard Kib Montalbo.
The Tropang Giga were in the game until late in the second quarter when they forced a 31-31 score, before the Hotshots answered with 12 straight points to take the lead for good.
The scores
Magnolia (96) – Dela Rosa 19, Eriobu 14, Ahanmisi 11, Murrell 11, Barroca 11, Laput 11, Mendoza 8, Corpuz 5, Jalalon 4, Reavis 2, Sangalang 0.
TNT (63) – Khobuntin 23, Cruz 11, Varilla 10, Marcelo 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Cuntapay 3, Gallego 2, Tungcab 0, Jopia 0, Alfaro 0.
Quarterscores: 18-15; 43-31; 65-52; 96-63.
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.
