By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots relied on a huge second half turnaround to defeat the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 107-93, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila on Sunday, April 14.
Andy Mark Barroca waxed hot with four three-pointers to end up with a team-high 27 points, while Ian Sangalang had another dominant showing of 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists for the Hotshots.
Jiovani Jalalon contributed 13 points to go with seven rebounds, and Joseph Eriobu finished with 11 markers for the Hotshots, which improved to a 3-2 record after securing their second straight win.
Down 47-57 at the half, the Hotshots went on a huge third quarter uprising courtesy of inside connections by Sangalang and outside shots from Barroca as they took a 79-77 advantage.
The Hotshots continued their run in the fourth quarter behind Abu Tratter and Joseph Eriobu as the lead reached as high as 18 points at 105-87 on an inside hit by Sangalang.
RJ Jazul tallied 21 points to lead the Fuel Masters, Kenneth Tuffin added 17 points, while Jason Perkins and Javee Mocon contributed 16 and 11, respectively.
They dropped to a 2-5 record.
Meanwhile, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings showed endgame poise to defeat the NorthPort Batang Pier, 95-88.
The Gin Kings moved up to a 5-3 record, while the Batang Pier dropped to 4-3.
From an 85-all score late in the game, the Gin Kings went on a 7-0 scoring run behind a three-pointer from Ralph Cu, and inside conversions from Jamie Malonzo and Christian Standhardinger for a 92-85 lead.
The Batang Pier cut the deficit to 88-92 with a three-pointer from William Navarro, but a split free throw by Earl Scottie Thompson and a basket by Standhardinger sealed the win for the Gin Kings.
Standhardinger led the way with 25 points and 17 rebounds, Cu had a near triple-double of 24 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, while Malonzo, Maverick Ahanmisi and Thompson had 14, 13 and 10 points, respectively, for Ginebra./ASC, WDJ
MAGNOLIA 107 — Barroca 27, Sangalang 23, Jalalon 13, Eriobu 11, Tratter 8, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Abueva 6, Mendoza 2, Balanza 2, Reavis 1, Laput 0, Escoto 0.
PHOENIX 93 — Jazul 21, Tuffin 17, Perkins 16, Mocon 11, Verano 8, Salado 8, Rivero 6, Alejandro 6, Muyang 0, Lalata 0, Daves 0, Camacho 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 47-57, 79-77, 107-93.