By REYNALD MAGALLON
In-form Magnolia showed no mercy and blasted Terrafirma, 104-83, giving injured star Paul Lee a winning return in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, July 8.
The Hotshots banked heavily on a blistering first half and never looked back as Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang and Jio Jalalon fired on all cylinders to extend their winning streak to four for a 5-3 record that all but slammed the door on the Dyip’s playoff hopes after dropping to a 0-8 slate.
Lee announced his re-entry to the Magnolia lineup after missing the last five games with 17 points in just 17 minutes of play. Sangalang topscored for the Hotshots with 20 points along with seven rebounds while Jio Jalalon had an all-around game of 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
JP Calvo was the lone bright spot for Terrafirma with 20 points although a huge chunk of his points came in the fourth quarter when the game was already done and settled.
Magnolia started the game like a house on fire as it quickly built a double-digit spread in the first quarter, 18-7 before eventually taking a 33-19 lead at the end of the opening frame.
Meantime, Baser Amer saved the day anew, nailing the go-ahead jumper with 2.1 seconds left as Blackwater squeaked past Phoenix, 91-89, to keep its dream run alive in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, July 8.
With the game tied 89-all with five seconds left, the Bossing ran the same play they utilized when Amer also nailed the game-winner against the Meralco Bolts last week, although this time the 6-foot playmaker went for a step back over the outstretched arms of Chris Lalata to seal their fifth win in six games and close in on a spot in the playoffs.
Amer only finished with nine points but hit the biggest basket, stealing the show from Bossing rookie Ato Ular who had himself a night with a career-high of 34 points on top of 10 rebounds. Top pick Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser also made a good account of himself with own career-best of 16 points.
The scores:
First Game
BLACKWATER 91 – Ular 34, Ganuelas-Rosser 16, Amer 9, Suerte 7, McCarthy 5, Taha 5, Melton 5, Torralba 4, Casio 4, Ebona 2, Sena 0.
PHOENIX 89 – Perkins 22, Tio 15, Wright 15, Lalata 10, Jazul 8, Anthony 6, Mocon 5, Muyang 4, Rios 2, Garcia 2, Melecio 0, Porter 0, Serrano 0, Pascual 0.
Quiarters: 16-19, 36-42, 61-66, 91-89.
Second Game
MAGNOLIA 104 ‒ Sangalang 20, Lee 17, Jalalon 17, Laput 10, Escoto 9, abueva 7 Corpuz 5, Ahanmisi 5, Dionisio 5, Wong 3, Brill 2, Barocca 2, Zaldivar 2, Reavis 0, Dela Rosa 0.
TERRAFIRMA 83 – Calvo 20, Mina 15, Gabayni 12, Tiongson 11, De Liano 9, Cahilig 7, Camson 4, Munzon 3, Tumalip 2, Grope 0, Ramos 0, Balagasay 0, Enriquez 0
Quarters: 33-19, 63-33, 83-51, 104-83.
