The Magnolia Hotshots' locals stepped up to the plate to secure their playoff spot after overpowering the Northport Batang Pier in Group A of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup.
With both Magnolia and NorthPort parading all-Filipino crews, it was the Hotshot locals who stepped up in overpowering the Batang Pier, 110-94, to secure the final playoff spot in Group A in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate on Friday, Sept. 19.
Coming up big for the Hotshots was Aris Dionisio who showed up in the absence of reinforcement Shabazz Muhammad, who sat out the game due to foot tendinitis.
Batang Pier likewise played sans import Venky Jois after having surgery for his partial Achilles tendon rupture.
Dionisio fired four of his nine three-pointers in the first quarter alone en route to a career-high 30-point outing, helping Magnolia bounced back from its tough defeat against TNT three days ago and advance to the playoffs.
The Hotshots tallied a 5-4 card for joint third with Converge which they also towed to the next round.
Consequently, NorthPort was sent to the exits at 3-6 for fifth.
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Magnolia, however, dealt with some injury concerns during the match after Paul Lee went down with a right ankle injury, followed by Calvin Abueva, who hyperextended his right knee in the third quarter.
Both Lee and Abueva exited the court but were able to return to the game early in the payoff period.
The Hotshots found no problem in the duo's brief absence as they continued to pounce on the Batang Pier. They built an 81-55 lead with just a minute to play in the third on a triple by Zavier Lucero against his former ballclub.
Magnolia continued to hold on to its lead in the final quarter despite NorthPort's furious attempt at a comeback with less than two minutes in the game.
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Magnolia 110 - Dionisio 30, Lucero 16, Eriobu 13, Abueva 12, Sangalang 10, Lee 9, Dela Rosa 9, Barroca 7, Ahanmisi 4, Mendoza 0, Escoto 0, Balanza 0, Laput 0.
Northport 94 - Tolentino 25, Cuntapay 13, Jalalon 11, Flores 8, Amores 8, Munzon 6, Navarro 6, Onwubere 6, Tratter 4, Bulanadi 4, Taha 2, Nelle 1, Yu 0.
Quarters: 29-13; 57-35; 83-61; 110-94.