Ian Sangalang put up a conference-best performance as Magnolia strengthened its hold of the top spot with a 91-69 victory over Blackwater in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 6.
Sangalang dropped eight of his 17 points in the third quarter onslaught that saw the Hotshots build a 15-point margin and never looked back to erase the bitter taste of their loss to rival Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings the last time out and improve to a solo lead in the standings with a 6-1 record.
The agile big man seemed to be back on his tip-top shape after dealing with typhoid fever that forced him to miss some games early in the conference as he conspired with import Nick Rakocevic who also had his share of the spotlight with 17 points and 15 rebounds.
Jerrick Ahanmisi was also solid off the bench with 14 points while Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca added 13 and nine, respectively.
The two-week break also allowed the Hotshot to regain their defensive fangs as the 69 points of Blackwater was the lowest they allowed an opponent to score since the Philippine Cup of last season.
Magnolia actually had to buck a slow start as Blackwater took the driver seat in the opening frame even taking a five-point cushion 24-19 early in the second period.
Ahanmisi, Jalalon and Sangalang though sparked a searing 14-0 rally midway through the second quarter to seize control of the contest and take their first double-digit spread at 10, 41-31, after trailing 31-27 early on.
Sangalang then continued to roll in the third quarter as he and Barroca then conspired for 14 of the team’s points while putting the cuffs on the Bossing on the defensive end to take a comfortable 70-55 lead which even ballooned to 25, 83-58, in the final frame.
Trevis Jackson paced the Bossing with 10 points while import Cameron Krutwig could only muster eight points although he collared 16 rebounds. Those, however, weren’t enough as the Baser Amer and Jvee Casio-less Blackwater dropped its third straight game for a 3-6 record.