By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued its unbeaten run in the 2023 PBA on Tour after a 94-65 domination over San Miguel Beermen at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Sunday night, July 9.

James Laput finished with double-double 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Jerrick Ahanmisi added 13 markers, with three outside conversions, as the Hotshots notched their eighth victory in as many games.

Abu Tratter contributed double-double 11 points and 11 rebounds, Jiovani Jalalon had 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while Calvin Abueva had nine points and 16 rebounds for Magnolia.

The Hotshots went to work early as they established a 24-14 lead behind conversions from Laput, Abueva and Ahanmisi before they widened it to 48-35 at the half with inside shots from Laput.

The Beermen went on a huge run in the third quarter as they cut the deficit to 56-66, but the Hotshots had a quick response from Ahanmisi, Laput and Joseph Eriobu as the lead reached its largest at 29 points.

Ilonggo Jericho Cruz led the way with 15 points, John Rodney Brondial contributed double-double 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Allyn Bulanadi added 10 as the Beermen dropped to 3-7.

In the first game, NorthPort Batang Pier leaned on Arvin Tolentino’s heroics in the endgame to beat Terrafirma Dyip, 104-100. The Batang Pier hiked its record to 4-4, while the Dyip slumped to 3-6.

Down 97-99 with under two minutes left, Tolentino swung the lead to the Batang Pier at 100-99 with a three-point conversion before he converted a layup to widen the advantage to 102-99 with 49 seconds left.

Terrafirma still had a chance to pull closer but George Isaac Go managed just a free throw before Tolentino sealed the come-from-behind victory with two free throws with 16 seconds left.

Tolentino finished with 28 points, including three outside conversions, to go with nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks, Ilonggo Paul Zamar added 21 markers, while John Michael Calma and Joshua Munzon had 18 and 14 points, respectively.

MAGNOLIA 94 — Laput 21, Jalalon 11, Tratter 11, Ahanmisi 10, Abueva 9, Eriobu 9, Mendoza 7, Corpuz 5, Dela Rosa 5, Murrell 3, Barroca 1, Lee 0.

SAN MIGUEL 65 — Cruz 15, Brondial 12, Bulanadi 10, Faundo 9, Dela Cruz 8, Dela Cruz 8, Baclao 5, Lee 2, Apacible 2, Lazarte 2.

Quarterscores: 24-14, 48-35, 66-56, 94-65./ASC, WDJ