MAGNOLIA surged to the solo lead in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup after beating newcomer Titan Ultra, 127-119, on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots went on an 11-0 start to the fourth quarter to turn a close game into a rout on their way to a 2-0 win-loss mark under first-year head coach LA Tenorio.
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Calvin Abueva didn’t suit up against his former team, and it cost the Giant Risers another loss that pulled them down to 1-2 win-loss.
Zavier Lucero led the way for the Hotshots with 23 points and 17 rebounds. Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca sparked that pullaway in the fourth quarter as the Hotshots became the first team to build a winning streak this conference.
Sangalang had 21 points including eight in the fourth quarter, while Barroca had 16 points and seven assists, with all of his seven final-quarter markers coming in that hot start.
Magnolia coach LA Tenorio, however, wasn't happy to see the Hotshots give up so many points to Titan Ultra.
“We gave up 56 points (in the first half), and now we gave up 60 plus in the second half. As much as we enjoy and be happy with this game, I don’t think this is our game. We gave up 119 points which is really a bad defensive game for us,” Tenorio said.
With Abueva out, Joshua Munzon picked up most of the scoring load for Titan and had 28 points to go along with six assists and three steals. Ato Ular added 17 points and six rebounds in his best game for the Giant Risers.
The scores:
Magnolia 127 – Lucero 23, Sangalang 21, Barroca 16, Escoto 16, Gomez de Liaño 14, Lastimosa 13, Dela Rosa 9, Alfaro 7, Laput 4, Dionisio 2, Verano 2, Gomez 0, Taha 0, Eriobu 0, Lee 0.
Titan Ultra 119 – Munzon 28, Ular 17, Balanza 14, Pessumal 13, Koon 12, Cuntapay 10, Sumang 9, Yu 6, Ambohot 6, Flores 4, Martinez 0, Melecio 0.
Quarters: 27-22; 58-56; 92-88; 127-119.
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