Magnolia made short work of Terrafirma in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Sunday, Sept. 1.
Magnolia hardly broke a sweat in dealing Terrafirma a gut-wrenching 124-103 loss in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Sunday, Sept. 1.
The Hotshots thus returned to the win column for a 2-2 card while adding to the woes of the Dyip, who fell to a 0-4 hole.
Coming off an 88-82 loss to TNT, the Hotshots raced off to a sizzling 34-13 start, setting the tone for the rout.
Magnolia easily built a commanding 36-point separation, 56-20, on Aris Dionisio’s left elbow triple entering the final five minutes of the first half.
The Hotshots took a 63-32 lead heading into the break, which is the most halftime lead by any team since Phoenix posted 67-30 against, incidentally, Terrafirma, in the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup, according to league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
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The Dyip did show signs of life in the third period, as it outgunned Magnolia, 32-23, but only managed to trim the gap to 21 points.
Come the final period, the Hotshots were all business anew, with Jerrick Ahanmisi instigating a personal 7-0 run in 54 seconds for a 93-64 lead.
Gaining confidence from its better performance in the third, Terrafirma answered with a 13-2 rally capped by Christian Standhardinger’s acrobatic layup.
But just as quick was Magnolia’s 8-2 riposte highlighted by Ahanmisi’s triple that restored order for good.
“I told them before the start of our preparations that all failures or setbacks, ang importante is how we bounce back sa next game, which is this nga,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
“We did very well especially we started very strong. We played our own pace. Defense dictated right away. Naghawa-hawa na lang lahat.”
Ahanmisi finished with a career-high 24 points including 2-for-3 from the three-point line and 4-for-8 from four. He also had two assists and two steals.
Though suffering from stomach flu, import Glen Robinson III finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and four assists for the Hotshots.
Zavier Lucero contributed 15 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Ian Sangalang added 14 points and six rebounds.
Meanwhile, Stanley Pringle and Christian Standhardinger carried the bulk of the load for the Dyip.
Pringle fired 23 points he spiked with six rebounds and five assists, while Standhardinger turned in a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Paolo Hernandez chipped in 18 points but made most of them during garbage time.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 124 – Ahanmisi 24, Robinson III 20, Lucero 15, Sangalang 14, Lee 13, Eriobu 12, Balanza 7, Barroca 6, Laput 6, Dionisio 4, Abueva 3, Mendoza 0, Reavis 0, Dela Rosa 0, Alfaro 0.
TERRAFIRMA 103 – Pringle 23, Standhardinger 22, Hernandez 18, Sangalang 9, Ramos 9, Ferrer 7, Hanapi 7, Cahilig 6, Hester 2, Tiongson 0, Olivario 0, Carino 0.
Quarterscores: 34-13, 63-32, 86-64, 124-103