At A Glance
- Magnolia bucked a slow start and then rode on a blistering second half performance to turn back Blackwater, 90-75, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Friday, Nov. 14.
Magnolia bucked a slow start and then rode on a blistering second half performance to turn back Blackwater, 90-75, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Friday, Nov. 14.
After trailing by as many as 12 points in the first two quarters, the Hotshots turned it on in the second half as they outscored the Bossing, 30-14, in the third and then blew the game wide open with a 20-6 start in the payoff period.
Javi Gomez de Liano provided the spark by firing 13 of his 17 points in the last two quarters while Ian Sangalang was the steady presence for Magnolia with his 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Zavier Lucero also put up a double-double performance of 13 points and 10 rebounds to go with two blocks and a steal just as Jerom Lastimosa also scattered 10 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four blocks.
Raffy Verano, meanwhile, was also a catalyst to the backbreaking run and finished with 12 points in just 12 minutes of play.
With the win, Magnolia kept itself in the tight race for the Top 4 spot, catching San Miguel, NLEX, and Rain or Shine at second with similar 5-2 records.