Jul 30, 2021

Magnolia stays perfect with blowout win over winless Terrafirma

MAGNOLIA Ang Pambansang Manok unleashed a more balanced effort on both ends of the court to beat Terrafirma, 105-83, Friday and cement its hold on the early PBA Philippine Cup lead at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca, Calvin Abueva and even rookie Jerrick Ahanmisi shone the brightest for the Hotshots as they established full control right in the waning minutes of the first quarter before going full throttle in roaring to their fourth win in as many games.

"It's all about our defense. Iyon naman pinag-usapan namin, eh," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

"We want to respect this team. Last three days iyon lagi teaching ko, mindset. Binibigyan ko ng emphasis iyon. We don't want na mag-relax kami."

Except for brief stretches in the opening period and in the final canto Magnolia did stay focused and even posted as much as a 103-76 spread, on the way to that cushion paved by Ahanmisi.

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The No. 10 overall pick scattered all of his new career-best 15 points in the fourth period with his fourth and last triple giving the Hotshots a 97-72 bulge.

Making the win more impressive is the fact the Hotshots managed to steadily stretch their lead despite the absence of Paul Lee, who suffered a leg injury following a hard contact with Juami Tiongson. The combo guard left the game with 4:39 left in the second period and did not return.

Terrafirma also had its own casualty in top overall pick Joshua Munzon, who injured his left hand following a hard fall off a drive and a foul by Loren Brill, still 10:07 left in the third period. He also did not return.

Roosevelt Adams set a new career-high 25 points on top of 11 rebounds, also a game-high for Terrafirma which absorbed its third loss in as many games.

Tiongson added 19 points and Aldrech Ramos 10 as the Dyip threatened last at 61-69, before getting swallowed up whole by Ahanmisi's explosion.

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Terrafirma actually led briefly at 15-13 following a 10-0 run sparked by Tiongson but could not match the fiery pace Magnolia put up for the majority of the game.

Sangalang once again led the Hotshots with 18 points while Barroca also provided sustaining fire with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists. (NC)

The scores

Magnolia (105) -- Sangalang 18, Barroca 16, Ahanmisi 15, Abueva 14, Corpuz 12, Jalalon 10, Lee 5, Dela Rosa 4, Brill 4, Dionisio 3, Pascual 2, De Leon 2, Reavis 0.

Terrafirma (83) -- Adams 25, Tiongson 19, Ramos 10, Batiller 7, Camson 6, Munzon 5, Cahilig 4, McCarthy 5, Calvo 2, Celda 0, Laput 0.

Quarterscores: 33-25; 58-37; 71-61; 105-83.