English
The Magnolia Hotshots charged Northport Batang Pier on Wednesday June 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Rome dela Rosa dragged Magnolia past Batang Pier by 80-77, for its first game in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup Season 47.
Abueva rose to the occasion for his ailing teammates, churning out 23 points and 12 rebounds including a tough layup in the final 40 seconds that knotted it to 77-77.
Tied at 77-all, Magnolia guard Jio Jalalon drove into the teeth of the defense and kicked the ball out to Dela Rosa, who calmly flung the ball up and into the basket to give the Hotshots an 80-77 lead.
NorthPort had a chance at tying the match, but wasted eventually when Arwind Santos missed a three-point try, which gave Magnolia their first win in three matches.
Calvin Abueva put up a monster statline of 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Paul Lee and Aris Dionisio scored 12 markers apiece, the latter also carrying down nine boards. Although Lee still not at tip-top shape after sitting out their previous game due to back spasms he still made his presence during the game.
“That sense of urgency in terms of executing, in terms of consistency, the effort and the desire, nagawa naman namin,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero after the game.
It was a hard-earned win for Magnolia, which trailed, 75-77, after a triple by NorthPort star Robert Bolick with 54 seconds left. Abueva, though, responded with a bucket while being fouled by Kevin Ferrer. The man known as “The Beast,” though, missed the bonus free throw.
The Batang Pier had an excellent opportunity to pull ahead after Ferrer was fouled and earned a trip to the charity stripe. However, Ferrer failed to make any of his free throws to set the stage for dela Rosa’s heroics.
Santos had 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Roi Sumang chipped in 15.
Jamie Malonzo added 15 points and 10 rebounds while Bolick was held down to just 13 markers.
Magnolia earlier fell to Converge and defending champion TNT.
The Scores
• Magnolia 80 – Abueva 23, Lee 12, Dionisio 12, Jalalon 8, Sangalang 8, Barroca 8, Dela Rosa 3, Wong 3, Corpuz 2, Reavis 1, Zaldivar 0. • Northport 77 – Santos 18, Malonzo 15, Sumang 15, Bolick 13, Calma 7, Balanza 4, Ferrer 3, Vigil 2, Ayaay 0, DelaCruz 0, Javier 0.
Quarters: 21-17, 42-33, 57-55, 80-77
