By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued its unbeaten run in the 2023 PBA on Tour after a 121-101 domination over Meralco Bolts at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Sunday night, July 2.
Paul Lee top-scored with 28 points, including seven three-point conversions, while Jiovani Jalalon added 18 markers and six rebounds as the Hotshots notched its sixth victory in as many games.
James Laput contributed double-double 14 points and 10 rebounds, Andy Mark Barroca finished with 12 points, while Jerrick Ahanmisi and Joseph Eriobu had 11 points for Magnolia.
The Hotshots went to work early as they established a 27-18 lead behind conversions from Jalalon, Barroca and Lee before they widened it to 59-45 at the half with triples from Lee.
The Bolts went on a huge run in the third quarter as they cut the deficit to 69-73, but the Hotshots had a quick response from Barroca, Lee and Eriobu as the lead reached its largest at 23 points.
Diego Dario led the way with 22 points, with six outside conversions, Kier John Quinto added 14 markers, while Franky Johnson and Clifford Hodge had 13 each as the Bolts dropped to 4-3.
In the first game, Blackwater Bossing survived an endgame uprising by the San Miguel Beermen for a 103-101 victory.
The Bossing improved to a 5-3 win-loss slate, while the Beermen dropped to 2-6.
Ahead 99-93 after two free throws by Jeth Troy Rosario, the Beermen stunned the Bossing with an 8-0 scoring blast behind Ilonggo Jericho Cruz and Allyn Bulanadi to take a 101-99 lead with 32 seconds left.
However, Beermen’s John Apacible committed an unsportsmanlike foul that led to three free throws by Jvee Casio to give the Bossing a 102-101 edge. Baser Amer sealed the win for Blackwater with a split free throw.
Rosario top-scored with 19 points to go with five rebounds and four assists, while Casio, Amer and Michael Digregorio contributed 13 markers apiece, while Rashawn McCarthy had 10 points for the Bossing.
MAGNOLIA 121 — Lee 28, Jalalon 18, Laput 14, Barroca 12, Eriobu 11, Ahanmisi 11, Tratter 8, Murrell 6, Mendoza 6, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 3.
MERALCO 101 — Dario 22, Quinto 14, Hodge 13, Johnson 13, Torres 12, Almazan 10, Maliksi 8, Pascual 7, Jose 2, Pasaol 0.
Quarterscores: 27-18, 59-45, 88-70, 121-101./ASC, WDJ