MAGNOLIA bagged the No. 5 seed in the quarterfinals of the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup after a 93-76 win over Meralco on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Hotshots finished with a 7-5 win-loss record and will face either this same Bolts team or Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals after the blowout win which they secured thanks to a big second quarter.
SCENARIOS: Manila Clasico and all possible quarterfinals pairings after today
Paul Lee had a hand in that pullaway in the second period, clustering a four and three consecutively to send Magnolia racing to a 27-15 lead.
The Bolts dropped to 8-4 and could possibly face sister team TNT as well in the quarterfinals.
Magnolia seized its third straight victory, and fifth out of its last six games, to gain steam ahead of the quarterfinals.
“The past three games, we really were in playoff mentality. I challenged my players, I challenged my team that these kind of games, eto ang magbibigay sa amin ng chance going to the next level,” said Magnolia coach LA Tenorio.
“Not necessarily going to the semis, moving forward, we have a goal as a team. I think we are on the right track going to that goal, whether this conference or next conference. What I like about the team right now is how they respond to that challenge,” Tenorio said.
With Lee in charge, Magnolia outscored Meralco, 28-16, in the second quarter to build a 46-30 halftime lead.
Clint Chapman had 19 points, including 10 in the second half to help Magnolia maintain its sizeable lead.
Javee Mocon had 14 points including 10 in the third quarter to cut the Bolts' deficit to nine, 74-65, at the end of the period, but Meralco lost steam in the fourth when a three by Javi Gomez de Liano got Magnolia back in control, 86-71.
Cliff Hodge was ejected in the third quarter for a flagrant foul 2 on Mark Barroca.
The scores:
Magnolia 93 - Chapman 19, Lee 13, Gomez de Liano 10, Sangalang 9, Lastimosa 8, Barroca 8, Lucero 8, Andrada 6, Verano 6, Dela Rosa 3, Alfaro 2, Gomez 1, Laput 0, Taha 0.
Meralco 76 – Jones 14, Mocon 14, Cansino 10, Hodge 10, Brickman 9, Quinto 8, Newsome 7, Black 2, Magbuhos 1, Bates 1, Banchero 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 18-14; 46-30; 74-65; 93-76.
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