By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots relied on a third quarter breakaway to defeat Blackwater Bossing, 110-95, in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City yesterday.

Holding to a slim 48-45 lead at the half, the Hotshots went on a huge rampage in the third quarter behind inside conversions from Calvin Abueva, Antonio Hester and Russel Escoto for an 87-66 lead.

The Bossing tried to claw back in the fourth quarter with triples from Baser Amer and Jvee Casio to cut the deficit to 89-95, but conversions from Abueva and Rome dela Rosa allowed the Hotshots to establish a double-digit lead.

Abueva led the way for the Hotshots with a conference-high 27 points to go with 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks as he also reached a personal milestone by joining PBA’s 5,000 points club.

Hester had double-double 22 points and 20 rebounds, Escoto also made his presence felt with a season-best 17 markers, while Dela Rosa added 14 markers for the streaking Hotshots.

The Hotshots ended the elimination round with a 7-4 win-loss slate and will wait for the outcome of the NLEX Road Warriors (7-3) final game against San Miguel Beermen next week to determine if they can clinch a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

Shawn Glover top-scored with 22 points, Casio contributed double-double 20 points and 10 assists, while Amer and Renato Ular had 16 and 12 markers, respectively, as the Bossing exits the conference with a 1-10 record.

MAGNOLIA 110 — Abueva 27, Hester 22, Escoto 17, Dela Rosa 14, Lee 9, Dionisio 8, Barroca 6, Jalalon 4, Corpuz 3, Ahanmisi 0, Wong 0.

BLACKWATER 95 — Glover 22, Casio 20, Amer 16, Ular 12, Sena 6, Hill 6, Ayonayon 6, Ilagan 5, Suerte 2, Torralba 0, Rosario 0, Banal 0.

Quarterscores: 32-20, 48-45, 87-66, 110-95./ASC, WDJ