by Jonas Terrado
Magnolia produced a second half outburst and frustrated Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 106-77, to force their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series to a deciding third game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Non-existent in Saturday’s Game 1 setback, Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca got back in a massive way to help the Hotshots prevent a sweep and set the stage for a do-or-die match set 7 p.m. Wednesday at the same venue.
Jalalon finished with 17 points, five rebounds, six assists and five steals and Barroca added 13 points and four steals after combining for just seven points on 3-of-18 shooting in the 86-75 loss at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Siguro wala lang sila sa wisyo nung Game 1 (Maybe they were not just in their right frame of mind in Game 1),” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
“They told me (before Game 2) na they will go all out kaya I’m very proud of both players, kung baga yung game nila yun yung Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca,” he added.
Another player who stepped up was Robbie Herndon, who put up 11 points to compliment leading scorer Ian Sangalang and Paul Lee.
Sangalang finished with 21 points and nine rebounds while Lee produced 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The Hotshots led 51-38 at the half before pouncing on the Kings in the third to build their biggest lead at 31 points multiple times in the second half.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone could only watch in disappointment as his team committed 20 turnovers while only one player breached double figures.
Scores:
MAGNOLIA 106 – Sangalang 21, Herndon 18, Jalalon 17, Barroca 13, Lee 13, Dela Rosa 11, Ramos 6, Abundo 3, Reavis 2, Brondial 2, Gamalinda 0, Melton 0, Pascual 0.
GINEBRA 77 – Mercado 13, Thompson 8, Ferrer 8, Dela Cruz 7, Caperal 6, Teodoro 6, Tenorio 5, Aguilar J. 5, Slaughter 5, Chan 4, Devance 4, Mariano 2.
Quarters: 25-18, 51-38, 81-54, 106-77.
