Magnolia used a balanced attack led by import Antonio Hester and Mark Barroca to send NorthPort crashing back to earth with a 129-109 beating in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, March 2.
The Hotshots played like a well-oiled machine with Hester, Barroca and the usually defensive-minded Rome Dela Rosa spearheading the assault to easily deflate the Batang Pier's hopes of extending their winning streak and boosting their playoffs bid.
The burly Magnolia import posted a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds while Barroca chipped in 21 points.
Four other players in Hotshots uniform finished in twin figures with Dela Rosa adding 19 points as Magnolia rose to a 5-4 record that sealed its quarterfinals entry.
The win also allowed other teams like Meralco and Ginebra to punch their quarterfinals ticket while putting NorthPort, now at 2-7 record, along with Terrafirma and Rain or Shine in danger of missing the playoffs if Phoenix, sitting with a 4-5 slate, win one of its final two games.
Calvin Abueva contributed 18 points while Paul Lee and Aris Dionisio also made their marks with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Robert Bolick and import Kevin Murphy carried much of the load for NorthPort with 30 and 31 points, but lacked support from the rest of team as they trailed by as many as 26 points, 73-47, at the half.
After a 31-all opening frame, Magnolia tightened its defensive screws and limited NorthPort to just 16 points while dropping 42 on their offensive side to seize complete control of the contest the rest of the way.