In a rematch of the Commissioner's Cup semifinals, Mark Barroca and the Magnolia Hotshots once again get the better of Phoenix in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Magnolia shifted into high gear in the second half on the way to a 107-93 win over Phoenix in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Sunday, April 14, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Mark Barroca spearheaded Magnolia's surge in the final 24 minutes, tying his career-high 27 points, on top of four assists.
Ian Sangalang, coming off his own career-high performance last time out, added 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Jio Jalalon went for 13 points, seven rebounds, and four dimes as the Hotshots also limited the Fuel Masters to 36 points in the second half, grabbing their third win in five games.
The Fuel Masters fell to a 2-5 win-loss record.
Down 47-57 at the break, the Hotshots came out with guns ablaze in the third, eventually outscoring Phoenix, 32-20, to gain the 79-77 lead heading into the fourth period.
They didn't stop there.
Magnolia went on a 12-2 tear to open the fourth quarter to take a commanding 91-79 edge after Joseph Eriobu's back-to-back baskets with 8:02 left on the clock.
That lead ballooned to 18, 103-85, on Barroca's booming trey with 3:39 to go.
Phoenix still tried to turn things around behind Kenneth Tuffin, but Magnolia hung tough for its first back-to-back wins this conference.
"We had a serious talk at halftime. We allowed them to score 39 points. I think it's our worst defensive quarter for us," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose team allowed Phoenix to drop 39 on them in the second period.
"I told them were outhustled and outworked in the second quarter. We all chilled. We talked about our effort in the first half."
RJ Jazul paced Phoenix with 21 points, Kenneth Tuffin scored 17 on three triples, and Jason Perkins had 16 points and five rebounds for the Fuel Masters.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 107 – Barroca 27, Sangalang 23, Jalalon 13, Eriobu 11, Tratter 8, Dionisio 7, Lee 7, Abueva 6, Balanza 2, Mendoza 2, Reavis 1, Escoto 0, Laput 0
PHOENIX 93 – Jazul 21, Tuffin 17, Perkins 16, Mocon 11, Salado 8, Verano 8, Alejandro 6, Rivero 6, Muyang 0, Camacho 0, Daves 0, Lalata 0
Quarterscores: 28-18, 47-57, 79-77, 107-93