By Olmin Leyba
Games on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. – Blackwater vs Alaska
6 p.m. – Meralco vs TnT Tropang Giga
WELL-OILED Magnolia followed up its emphatic debut romp with a masterful dispatching of tough Rain or Shine (ROS), 109-98, for a rousing start in the 46th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
Picking up from where they left off in a 114-87 blowout over Terrafirma, the Hotshots turned in another efficient performance against ROS to make it two-for-two and gain momentum ahead of their Christmas Day showdown with Barangay Ginebra.
“We controlled the pace, we executed on both ends and we were mentally tough. We needed to do all those against a tough team like Rain or Shine,” said coach Chito Victolero, who was victorious on his 200th game at the Magnolia bench.
So sharp were Mr. Victolero’s charges that they only committed five turnovers all game long — a new all-time lowest in franchise history — while engaged in the dogfight with the rugged Elasto Painters (2-2).
The Hotshots made a killing inside the paint, scoring 54 points against ROS’ 28 while netting 14 in fastbreak points versus ROS’ 4.
Mike Harris dropped 26 markers with six assists as Calvin Abueva shot 18 with nine rebounds.
Magnolia’s shock troopers contributed big-time with Jio Jalalon delivering 14 plus 10 dimes and Jerrick Ahanmisi (8), Jackson Corpuz (8), and Aris Dionisio (5) giving quality time.
“Maganda ang contribution ng bench,” said Mr. Victolero. “They’re very sharp, they have good chemistry and they deserve their minutes.”
Three ROS stalwarts hit 20 or more in Henry Walker (23), Rey Nambatac (23) and Javee Mocon (20).
The Hotshots took command in the second period as the troika of Messrs. Harris, Jalalon and Corpuz teamed up in a 14-4 run that led to an initial 12-point separation.
They kept pounding the Elasto Painters en route to posting their largest margin at 96-78 and stayed on-guard against their rivals, who in their previous 90-88 win over Phoenix, proved capable of wiping out big deficits.