Magnolia Pambansang Manok bucked a slow start and came alive in the second half to draw first blood against Meralco, 94-80, in Game 1 of their best-of-five series in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Jio Jalalon sparked the 17-point comeback as the Hotshots used a searing third quarter rally where it exploded for 29 points while limiting the Bolts to just 13 markers.
Jalalon had an all-around game of 15 points, six rebounds and six assists while Mike Harris was a consistent force all-game long with 26 points and 16 rebounds for the Hotshots.
Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said it was the team’s defense in the second half which keyed the turnaround as Jalalon and Mark Barocca terrorized Meralco's offense.
“It started with our defense. We limit them to our target, below 80 points, maganda yung depensa na pinakita namin in the second half,” said Victolero whose Hotshots endured a blistering first half from the Bolts who had a 33-16 lead early in the second frame.
“Very slow start. I talked to my players if we cannot match up the intensity and aggressiveness of Meralco and we will have a hard time winning this game,” he added.
Magnolia put the clamps on Meralco import Tony Bishop who only mustered 10 points and 12 rebounds while Chris Banchero who spearheaded the Bolts’ first half onslaught was shut down after the break to finish with 16 points.
Paul Lee scattered 13 points while Calvin Abueva also finished in twin digits with 12.
Victolero’s small pep talk at the break worked wonders for Magnolia as the squad used a 12-0 blast to turn a 41-48 deficit to a 53-48 advantage half way through the third.
Meralco took the lead after an Aaron Black triple but Magnolia answered back with a 12-3 spurt to keep a 64-56 separation heading into the final frame.
Meralco closed the gap several times early in the fourth but Magnolia, behind timely baskets from Paul Lee, Jalalon and Harris kept the Bolts at bay.
The Hotshots built its first double-digit spread of the game after two free throws from Abueva, 82-72, and never looked back en route to the 14-point win.
THE SCORES
MAGNOLIA - Harris 26, Jalalon 15, Lee 13, Abueva 12, Barocca 9, Dionisio 7, Dela Rosa 6, Wong 5, Sangalang 1, Reavis 0, Corpuz 0, De Leon 0, Capobres 0, Escoto 0, Brill 0, Ahanmisi 0
MERALCO - Banchero 16, Quinto 13, Bishop 10, Newsome 8, Maliksi 7, Black 7, Baclao 6, Hodge 5, Almazan 4, Hugnatan 2, Caram 2, Jose 0, Belo 0, Canete 0, Pasaol 0, Jamito 0