The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters both nailed their assignments in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Hotshots rode on Mark Barroca’s late-game magic to escape the San Miguel Beermen in overtime, 98-95, while the Elasto Painters set the tone early, with Gian Mamuyac exploding in the opening canto en route to a 113-96 triumph over Arvin Tolentino-less NorthPort Batang Pier at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Magnolia rose to the top of the standings with a 3-0 slate, thanks to Barroca, who, despite shooting 0-of-8 from the field, sank the most important shots of the match to complete the team’s comeback against the June Mar Fajardo-led squad.
The Beermen absorbed their first loss in three games, although the eight-time PBA MVP had a chance to finish them off in regulation, to no avail.
Young guns Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa breached 20-point territory in the win, firing 24 and 21, respectively.
Peter Alfaro and Calvin Abueva had 11 points each, while Paul Lee had 10 markers.
Fajardo and Juami Tiongson paced the Beermen side with 17 points each.
Meanwhile, Mamuyac led the way for the Elasto Painters, scoring 13 of his 22 in the first quarter to help the team pull away early.
NorthPort played without its main man, Tolentino, which acknowledged Yeng Guiao that if he played, the game would have turned out differently.
“We feel na kung nakapaglaro siya mag-iiba [ang] complexion ng laro talaga,” said coach Yeng Guiao.
Tolentino injured his right hip flexor against the Terrafirma Dyip.
But the Painters pounced on that opportunity, although they are also bucking the absence of Beau Belga and Keith Datu, who are dealing with vertigo and right calf strain, respectively.
Santi Santillan delivered the all-around goods for Guiao, chipping in 17 markers and 10 boards, while Andrei Caracut and Caelan Tiongson had 15 pieces each.
William Navarro paced the defeated side with a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds. (ABS-CBN News)
MAGNOLIA 98 — Lucero 24, Lastimosa 21, Alfaro 11, Abueva 11, Lee 10, Sangalang 8, Barroca 7, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 2, Dionisio 0, Laput 0, Ahanmisi 0, Balanza 0, Escoto 0.
SAN MIGUEL 95 — Fajardo 17, Tiongson 17, Trollano 16, Perez 14, Ross 10, Brondial 10, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3, Tautuaa 3, Cruz 2, Teng 0.
Quarterscores: 18-18, 36-45, 61-67, 87-87, 98-95.