At A Glance
- The Hotshots bared their defensive fangs to fuel a decisive 28-9 run bridging the final two quarters, turning a 51-55 deficit into a huge 69-64 advantage to go back-to-back wins after a poor 0-3 start to the mid-season conference.
Joseph Eriobu seemed to have a clear path to the basket after being left with a much smaller defender to stop him in transition. Then all of a sudden, a streaking Zav Lucero went for the chase and blocked him from behind.
That exact play typified the change of approach defensively for Magnolia in the second half as it finally tightened up its screws and pulled away against Terrafirma, 85-70, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday, April 7.
The Hotshots bared their defensive fangs to fuel a decisive 28-9 run bridging the final two quarters, turning a 51-55 deficit into a huge 69-64 advantage to go back-to-back wins after a poor 0-3 start to the mid-season conference.
“We really emphasized playing defense. We had a slow start offensively but defensively we were on track in the first half and I still emphasized it in the second half,” said head coach LA Tenorio.
“We can score anytime. The question is if we can get the stop,” he added.
Clint Chapman anchored Magnolia on both ends of the floor with 28 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and a steal while Lucero finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Rome Dela Rosa also had 11 points for Magnolia which limited Terrafirma to just 70 points after averaging 106.8 through its first four games in the conference.
Jerrick Ahanmisi still had his numbers with 20 points although the Magnolia defense made him bleed for it, needing 20 shots just to reach that output. It was also the same for import Mubashar Ali who had 18 points on 18 shots to go with 18 rebounds.
The Dyip, after a 3-0 start, suffered back-to-back defeat for a 3-2 slate.