Magnolia recovered from a two-game losing skid to notch its second win against NorthPort in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
After a two-game tailspin, Magnolia regained steam and repulsed NorthPort, 104-97, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, April 10.
The Hotshots, though, needed to weather a late Fran Yu explosion to hack out their second win in four games.
After Yu rifled in seven straight points for the Batang Pier to make the game interesting, 100-97, Magnolia turned to its old reliables to emerge victorious and put NorthPort's four-game winning streak to a screeching halt.
Magnolia improved to eighth while dragging the Batang Pier to the third spot with its 4-2 card.
"Wake-up call para sa'min 'yung dalawang sunod na talo. Thank God, nakabawi kami ngayon kahit kulang kami sa tao. Lahat naman, nag-step up," said Ian Sangalang, who carried much of the load for the Hotshots as he unloaded a career-high 32 points and collared 13 rebounds.
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Mark Barroca and Paul Lee delivered in the clutch, with Barroca scoring on a stepback jumper that doused a 7-3 NorthPort rally, 102-97, with 24.1 remaining.
Lee then made sure there would be no more meltdowns for the Hotshots as he canned two gifts from the line to seal the win.
James Laput posted 14 markers, Lee and Jerrick Ahanmisi added 13 apiece while Barroca knocked in 12 points and dished out 10 assists for Magnolia.
Calvin Abueva returned from a one-game suspension and wound up with six points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
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Rookie Zav Lucero paced Batang Pier with 18 points and seven rebounds while Yu finished with a second-best 15 markers.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 104 – Sangalang 32, Laput 14, Ahanmisi 13, Lee 13, Barroca 12, Mendoza 7, Abueva 6, Eriobu 3, Escoto 2, Tratter 1, Jalalon 1, Murrell 0.
NORTHPORT 97 – Lucero 18, Yu 15, Tolentino 14, Munzon 11, Zamar 9, Navarro 9, Rosales 8, Paraiso 8, Flores 5, Calma 0, Adamos 0, Bulanadi 0.
Quarterscores: 23-22, 46-45, 78-73, 104-97