MAGNOLIA escaped the upset ax against Blackwater, 90-75, and got back on the winning track in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots turned the game around behind a huge 15-0 run in a five-minute stretch during the third period to finally wrest control after traling by as many as 12 pioints at 36-24.
Javi Gomez De Liano had a game-high 17 points, including 10 in that game-changing third period, Ian Sangalang added 16 and nine rebounds, while Zavier Lucero churned out another double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds for Magnolia, which lost a 94-92 heartbreaker to defending champion San Miguel the last time out.
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The Hotshots improved to 5-2 to create a four-way tie at second place with reigning champion San Miguel, NLEX, and Rain or Shine.
“We can’t start like this all the time. Hindi kami puwedeng lagging naghahabol,” said Magnolia coach LA Tenorio, noting that for the second straight game, the Hotshots again had another shaky start.
“Both our (two) games, we started flat,” added Tenorio, whose team also trailed the Beermen the last time, made a strong comeback, only for the rally to fall short in the end.
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Raffy Verano came off the bench to finish with 12 points on a perfect 2-of-2 shooting from three-point range and sparked Magnolia's 14-1 breakaway in the fourth quarter that gave the Hotshots their biggest lead of the game at 84-61.
Blackwater went down to its sixth straight loss for a 1-6 record.
Sedrick Barefield led the Bossing with 16 points, but was held to just four points in the second half after a sizzling start; rookie Dalph Panopio added 14 including 10 in the final quarter, and Richard Escoto was the only other player in double figures for the team with 12.
The scores:
Magnolia (90) - Gomez de Liano 17, Sangalang 16, Lucero 13, Verano 12, Lastimosa 10, Barroca 7, Eriobu 5, Lee 4, Dela Rosa 3, Taha 2, Alfaro 1, Koon 0.
Blackwater (75) - Barefield 16, Panopio 14, Escoto 12, Dumont 9, Andrade 6, Tratter 5, David 5, Mendoza 4, Zamar 2, Una 2, Murrell 0, Mallilin 0, Jopia 0.
Quarterscores: 18-15; 34-41; 64-55; 90-75.
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