MAGNOLIA was as fiery as it was unforgiving, fashioning a 127-94 romp over hapless Terrafirma Sunday to stretch its unbeaten streak to five in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Zav Lucero's 17 points and nine rebounds led the Hotshots, who uncorked a torrid scoring burst right in the second quarter to assume full control before hardly letting up despite their starters giving way to their relievers.
In the end, Magnolia improved its record to 5-0 and remained as the only undefeated team in the tourney, a stark departure from its campaigns in the season's first two conferences, including the last Commissioner's Cup when it barely made it past the eliminations due to a 1-4 start.
Understandably, coach Chito Victolero remains adamant that their work is far from done. "The goal is how we finish strong," he said.
"Yes, we're happy we have a good start compared to the last two conferences. But we're still far from our goal and we just need to keep working hard every time we prepare for a game," added Victolero.
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It is also undeniable that the Victolero is pleased with the way all the 15 players he used contributed. "I'm very happy that everybody stepped up. Everybody contributed," he stated.
"Iyon naman ang system naming. We just try to go hard every time we step on the court, give our 100 percent," added Victolero. "They are encouraging each other, they are supporting each other."
The loss was Terrafirma's fourth straight, dropping it to a 1-4 record.
Louie Sangalang wound up with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds on top of seven assists while Stanley Pringle and Kevin Ferrer added 17 points apiece, but the Dyip simply could not match the Hotshots' inside-outside game.
In the end, Magnolia lorded it over the boards, 66-27, was plus-30 in inside points, plus-22 in second chance points and plus-10 in turnover points, among others.
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The discrepancy was most apparent during the second period when the Dyip shot 4-of-18 from the floor and got mauled off the boards, 4-22, enabling the Hotshots to go on a 27-2 surge that yanked them out of a slim 27-25 edge.
The difference got stretched to as much as 65-32 and although Terrafirma managed to muster a charge that put it within 87-108, James Laput, Russel Escoto and Joseph Eriobu combined to fully quell the threat, 123-92. (NC)
The Scores :
MAGNOLIA 127 - Lucero 17, Lee 13, Ahanmisi 11, Eriobu 11, Laput 9, Abueva 8, Lastimosa 8, Sangalang 8, Dela Rosa 8, Balanza 8, Barroca 7, Alfaro 6, Escoto 6, Reavis 4, Dionisio 3.
TERRAFIRMA 94 - Sangalang 19, Pringle 17, Ferrer 17, Olivario 8, Melecio 7, Ramos 7, Hernandez 6, Catapusan 6, Nonoy 4, Zaldivar 3, Hanapi 0.
QUARTERS: 27-25, 65-37, 91-63, 127-94
