Back-to-back games in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup didn’t bother Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.
The Hotshots looked tired and lethargic early against the Terrafirma Dyip but gained their second wind late in the second period to go on to post a 103-89 rout, yesterday, Thursday, November 5 at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G.
The Hotshots posted the impressive victory over Terrafirma less than 24 hours after they brought down league-leading TNT Tropang Giga, 102-92, Wednesday.
In the second game Meralco Bolts improved their chance to reach the top 4 after the eliminations and gain a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with a hard-earned 85-78 decision over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Magnolia trailed the Dyip up until late in the second quarter when Aris Dionisio drained a three-pointer to push Magnolia ahead, 48-46, with 15 seconds left in the half. The Hotshots padded that lead in the third to go on to the decisive victory.
With the win over the Dyip the Hotshots (4 wins, 4 losses) strengthened their hold on eighth place behind TNT (6-2), Barangay Ginebra (6-2), San Miguel Beermen (5-2), Phoenix Super LPG (5-3), Meralco (5-3), Rain or Shine (4-3) and Alaska Aces (5 wins, 4 losses).
Outside the top 8 and looking in are NLEX Road Warriors (3-5), Blackwater Elite (2-5), NorthPort Batang Pier (1-6) and Terrafirma Dyip (0-7).
Mark Borboran drilled back-to-back triples which cut the Meralco lead to just 8 points, 82-74, with 1:04 left in the game. Meralco’s Nard Pinto then turned the ball over off a bad pass and the Elasto Painters got possession with 58 seconds to go.
Norbert Torres made two free throws which cut the Meralco lead down to 6 points with 50 seconds left.
The Bolts had possession but could not run out the clock after the Rain or Shine pressure defense forced the Bolts to burn 2 timeouts with still 41 seconds to go.
Gabe Norwood however bailed the Bolts out of time trouble by committing a foul while going for a steal.
The Elasto Painters were then forced to foul Chris Newsome who drained both free throws to push the Bolts to safety with an 8-point, 84-76, lead with just 32 seconds left.
Free throws by Rain or Shine’s Norbert Torres and Newsome finalized the count at 85-78.
Meralco’s Baser Amer scored 14 points, dished 7 assists and grabbed 6 rebounds to win Player of the Game honors. He said the Bolts are determined to advance deep into the playoffs in the PBA Philippine Cup.
“Talagang motivation naming makapasok sa playoffs. Sa last 5 years (of the Philippine Cup) hindi kami nakakapasok. Yun ang motivation namin. So itong game na ito napaka importante talaga dahil gusto naming makapasok sa playoffs,” said Amer.
The Scores:
Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok 103 – Paul Lee 29, Rome Dela Rosa 17, Ian Sangalang 16, Jackson Corpuz 10, Aris Dionisio 9, Chris Banchero 8, Jio Jalalon 7, Justin Melton 3, Rafi Reavis 2, Marc Barroca 2, Alvin Abundo 0, Michael Calisaan 0.
Terrafirma Dyip 89 – CJ Perez 19, Reden Celda 16, Eric Camson 14, Glenn Khobuntin 10, Juami Tiongson 9, Aldrech Ramos 6, JP Calvo 6, Roosevelt Adams 5, Joseph Gabayni 2, Bonbon Batiller 1, Philip Cahilig 1, Christian Balagasay 0.
Quarter Scores: 17-18, 48-46, 76-60, 103-89.
The Scores:
Meralco Bolts 85 – Chris Newsome 17, Baser Amer 14, Allein Maliksi 9, Bong Quinto 8, Cliff Hodge 8, Jammer Jamito 6, Aaron Black 5, Raymond Almazan 4, Nard Pinto 1, Trevis Jackson 0, Nico Salva 0.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 78 – James Yap 18, Beau Belga 11, Norbert Torres 11, Rey Nambatac 8, Mark Borboran 6, Adrian Wong 6, Vince Tolentino 6, Javee Mocon 5, Sydney Onwubere 3, Gabe Norwood 2, Jewel Ponferada 2, Kris Rosales 0.
Quarter Scores: 27-28, 46-44, 74-51, 85-78.