Eager to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Converge, Magnolia responded with a 16-point whipping of NLEX in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
In what Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio described as a test of character and discipline, his wards passed with flying colors.
This as the Hotshots leaned on a strong start to cruise to a 98-82 win over NLEX to clinch a quarterfinal berth in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Montalban Sunday, Dec. 7.
Magnolia thus climbed to a share of the fourth spot with their foe via their identical 6-3 records.
“I told them before the game that this will be a test of discipline and character for our team,” said Tenorio during the post-game presser.
“Yes, we are a young team coached by a very young coach. It’s a good test for us. We played a team that is very well-coached. Sobrang ganda ng sistema na team.”
The Hotshots were coming off a disappointing loss to Converge, where they took control early before the FiberXers picked them apart in the second half.
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Focused until the end
But Magnolia made sure there was no meltdown this time around.
It blazed to a 23-7 start, then doused multiple comeback attempts by the Road Warriors before sealing the 16-point romp.
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Zavier Lucero spearheaded the Hotshots' attack with 18 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and the same number of blocks.
Rome dela Rosa delivered a splendid performance in front of his dad, PBA legend Romy, with 14 markers, five boards, two dimes, two swipes and a block.
Mark Barroca had 12 points, while James Laput and rookie Chris Koon scored 11 apiece.
“This time around, I reminded the boys, the whole team, that we have to learn from the last game. We cannot have a letdown in the second half, especially in these kinds of games,” said Tenorio.
“Because every game for us is a playoff game. Alam naman nating dikit-dikit ang standings. Isang talo lang, talagang bagsak ka.”
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Meanwhile, Javee Mocon and Southeast Asian Games-bound Robert Bolick paced NLEX with 12 points apiece.
Kevin Alas contributed 11 markers.
Magnolia vs. NLEX Scores:
MAGNOLIA 98 – Lucero 18, Dela Rosa 14, Barroca 12, Laput 11, Koon 11, Sangalang 10, Gomez de Liano 9, Lee 4, Lastimosa 4, Eriobu 3, Alfaro 2, Gomez 0
NLEX 82 – Mocon 12, Bolick 12, Alas 11, Policarpio 11, Torres 11, Ramirez 7, Nieto 6, Baho 4, Valdez 4, Fajardo 2, Herndon 2, Capulong 0, Onwubere 0
Quarterscores: 28-22, 47-30, 70-52, 98-82
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.