English
The Magnolia Hotshots hung tough in the endgame to fend off Barangay Ginebra and take an 89-84 victory in a hotly contested match in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Jio Jalalon and Ian Sangalang powered the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots. As the two teams faced off in another edition of their rivalry. Sangalang made 24 points while Jalalon scored 19 to notch Magnolia’s second win of the conference.
With Ginebra trying to stage a comeback from a 14-point deficit, Magnolia wingman Rome dela Rosa canned a clutch triple to give the Hotshots an 89-84 lead with less than two minutes left in the game. Magnolia’s tough defense then held the Kings scoreless the rest of the way to capture their second win in five games.
Left-handed big man Ian Sangalang took charge for the Hotshots, compiling 24 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, all while battling Ginebra’s prolific big men, Japeth Aguilar and Christian Standhardinger.
“We talked about the adversities, we talked about the challenges. We played three games in the last five days and we played against elite teams. Our goal is two out of three and yun naman ay nagawa namin,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero after the game.
Magnolia held on to the game despite Calvin Abueva’s ejection early in the fourth period due to unsportsmanlike behavior. However, the Forward was still able to share nine points and eight rebounds.
With ace wingman Paul Lee still on the injured list, guard Jio Jalalon took on the scoring cudgels and finished with 19 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
Ginebra dropped to 2-1. LA Tenorio ran the Kings with 15 points, notwithstanding on 5-of-15 shooting from the field.
Reigning MVP Scottie Thompson chipped in 13 markers, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Aguilar had a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards.
With Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva being ejected early in the final part, Ginebra pounced and knotted the score at 82-all with less than five minutes remaining in the game. However, Magnolia was unfazed and responded with buckets from Aris Dionisio and Jalalon to surge in front, 86-82.
The Hotshots (2-3) will face Phoenix on Friday, while Ginebra (2-1) will play NLEX on Wednesday.
The Scores:
• Magnolia 89 – Sangalang 24, Jalalon 19, Abueva 9, Corpuz 9, Wong 7, Dela Rosa 7, Laput 6, Barroca 6, Dionisio 2, Escoto 0, Ahanmisi 0. • Ginebra 84 – Tenorio 15, Thompson 13, Standhardinger 12, Caperal 11, Tolentino 10, J.Aguilar 9, Pringle 6, Chan 4, Pinto 4, Mariano 0.
Quarters: 26-21, 47-40, 70-61, 89-84.
