By JONAS TERRADO
Games Tomorrow
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Blackwater vs TNT
7 p.m. – Meralco vs Magnolia
Vernon Macklin scored all of his 19 points in the first half of his penultimate game as import of the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, who continued the rollercoaster campaign of the Columbian Dyip last night with a 126-101 rout in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Macklin also had eight rebounds in nearly 29 minutes, helping the Hotshots secure their second win in three matches and begin the final stretch of his second PBA stint after accepting a contract to play in China’s National Basketball League.
The 31-year-old American will play his final game for Magnolia tomorrow night against Meralco at the Big Dome.
“Right before the start (of the conference) alam namin na aalis siya,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero. “The plan was for him to play his first four games para lang at least we have time to find a replacement.”
Ian Sangalang had 18 points and four rebounds, Mark Barroca and Paul Lee scored 17 points each, Jio Jalalon produced 11 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals and Aldrech Ramos added 12 for the Hotshots.
The Hotshots won back-to-back games after an 89-87 loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters last May 6.
John Fields finished with 22 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks but the Dyip suffered another lopsided defeat and dropped to an even 3-3 record before the All-Star break.
Jerramy King hit 19 points and Rashawn McCarthy was the other double-digit scorer for the Dyip but shot 3-of-10 from the field.
The scores:
MAGNOLIA 126 – Macklin 19, Sangalang 18, Barroca 17, Lee 17, Ramos 12, Jalalon 11, Dela Rosa 8, Abundo 7, Pascual 6, Herndon 5, Brondial 2, Mendoza 2, Simon 2, Gamalinda 0, Reavis 0.
COLUMBIAN 101 – Fields 22, King 19, McCarthy 12, Khobuntin 9, Tubid 9, Corpuz 8, Celda 7, Cabrera 6, Lastimosa 5, Cahilig 4, Ababou 0, Escoto 0, Gabriel 0, Yee 0
Quarters: 37-18; 72-43; 97-71; 126-101.