Magnolia stays perfect in PH Cup, blasts Phoenix for 4th straight win 

MANILA, Philippines – The Magnolia Hotshots continued their rampage in the PBA Philippine Cup as they blasted the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 118-99, in their out-of-town showdown at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City on Saturday, April 26.

Ian Sangalang led five Magnolia players in double-digit scoring with 20 points on a healthy 9-of-11 shooting, while Mark Barroca came to play in front of his hometown fans as he racked up an all-around line of 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.  

Zavier Lucero kept his solid play in the season-ending conference going with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Paul Lee and James Laput poured in 17 and 10 markers, respectively, as the Hotshots stretched their perfect record to 4-0.  

After leading by only 2 points at the halfway mark of the second quarter, Magnolia suddenly shifted into high gear, turning a slim 45-43 lead into a 65-48 cushion off a three-pointer by Lee with 1:27 remaining in the first half.

Despite a pair of high-scoring performances from Phoenix players Kai Ballungay and RR Garcia, Magnolia managed to maintain its double-digit gap over the Fuel Masters the rest of the way, even stretching its lead to as many as 28 points, 107-79, at the 7:35 mark of the final frame. 

Ballungay finished with game-highs of 25 points and 15 rebounds, while Garcia – who is likewise playing in his hometown – delivered 22 markers on an efficient 8-of-12 field goal clip. 

With the loss, the Fuel Masters fell to a 1-3 card – tied with the Terrafirma Dyip in the standings.  

The Scores

Magnolia 118 – Sangalang 20, Barroca 18, Lucero 17, Lee 17, Laput 10, Dela Rosa 8, Ahanmisi 7, Abueva 6, Alfaro 6, Escoto 5, Lastimosa 4, Dionisio 0.

Phoenix 99 – Ballungay 25, Garcia 22, Perkins 17, Tio 8, Soyud 6, Tuffin 5, Rivero 4, Camacho 4, Jazul 4, Manganti 4, Daves 0, Ular 0, Verano 0, Alejandro 0.

Quarters: 35-27, 67-53, 94-74, 118-99.

– Rappler.com