Aris Dionisio shot the lights out and Magnolia simply rode his hands to dispatch NorthPort, 110-94 in their all-Filipino duel and complete the quarterfinals cast in the Group A of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, Sept. 20.

Dionisio was on target from deep all-game long, draining a franchise-best nine triples in a rare offensive show for the defensive-minded Hotshots and enough to formally book their tickets to the next round.

The 29-year-old wingman started out waxing hot, burying four triples to score 12 of his career-high 30 points in the opening frame. That scoring outburst allowed the Hotshots to race to a 29-13 start at the end of the first 12 minutes before padding the lead to as high as 26 points in the ensuing quarters.

With the win, Magnolia improved to a 5-4 record, sealing its place inside the Group A Top 4 picture and eliminating NorthPort, which fell to a 4-5 slate after the loss, in the process.

The Batang Pier’s loss also meant victory for the Converge FiberXers which, with a 5-4 slate, are also now through to the quarterfinals. 

Incidentally, Magnolia and Converge are still set to play each other on Monday, Sept. 23 with the positioning and the chance to avoid the Group B top seed in the quarterfinals crossover at stake.

Zav Lucero also continued to be a force inside the paint with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds and on top of a four blocks and a steal for Magnolia which was forced to also play all-Filipino with import Shabazz Muhammad nursing a knee injury.

Joseph Eriobu also stepped up off the bench with 13 points while Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang had 12 and 10 in the dominant win.

Arvin Tolentino tried to carry the fight with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists but the lead just proved to be too much to overcome for the Batang Pier who missed the services of import Venky Jois due to an Achilles injury.

Damie Cuntapay and Jio Jalalon had 13 and 11 respectively.

The Scores:

MAGNOLIA 110 – Dionisio 30, Lucero 16, Eriobu 13, Abueva 12, Sangalang 10, Lee 9, Dela Rosa 9, Barroca 7, Ahanmisi 4, Mendoza 0, Escoto 0, Balanza 0, Laput 0.

NORTHPORT 94 – Tolentino 25, Cuntapay 13, Jalalon 11, Flores 8, Amores 8, Munzon 6, Navarro 6, Onwubere 6, Tratter 4, Bulanadi 4, Taha 2, Nelle 1, Yu 0.

QUARTERS : 29-13, 57-35, 83-61, 110-94