INQUIRER Sports

GAMES WEDNESDAY (Ynares Center, Antipolo)
4:50 p.m.—Sta. Lucia vs Barangay Ginebra
7:20 p.m.—Coca-Cola vs Magnolia

MANILA, Philippines—Lordy Tugade scored 20 points that went with a career-high 15 rebounds Sunday night to lead Magnolia to a 108-96 victory over Coca-Cola and draw first blood in the Smart PBA Fiesta Cup quarterfinal match up between pre-tournament favorites at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Amil McCaskill also had 20 markers and three more locals finished with 13 points or more as the Beverage Masters seized control early and never let up to move within another win of sealing a semifinal date with Air21.

“In a short series, this (win) is good,” Magnolia coach Siot Tanquingcen said. “But it still doesn’t mean anything. We still have to win another game.”

In the second game, Mark Caguioa had 30 points and grabbed seven rebounds as Baranagay Ginebra rallied from a double-digit first-half deficit and then held off Sta. Lucia Realty in the stretch, 92-90, to also grab a 1-0 lead in their quarterfinal series.

The two quarterfinal pairings go at it again in game 2 Wednesday.

Magnolia scored the victory even with Danny Seigle riding the bench because of a mild quadriceps strain as the defense of the Beverage Masters held the usually prolific Jason Dixon to his worst offensive output.

Dixon, who came into the game averaging 22.6 points and 11.7 rebounds, was held to just six and seven and new import Brandon Dean was unimpressive in his debut after scoring just eight points.

And the two-import privilege which many saw could be the Tigers’ key to landing a title could very well be their undoing.

“We somehow played good defense and caught him on a bad night at the same time,” said Tanquingcen of Dixon’s lethargic effort.

The scores

First Game:
MAGNOLIA 108—McCaskill 20, Tugade 20, Cortez 18, Hontiveros 13, Ildefonso 13, Pingris 8, Bono 7, Pena 6, Racela 3, Villanueva 0, Gonzales 0.
COCA-COLA 96—Taulava 20, Belasco 17, Buenafe 15, Cabagnot 12, Macapagal 9, Catli 9, Dean 8, Dixon 6, Dimaunahan 0, Misolas 0.
Quarters: 30-18, 51-41, 76-72, 108-96

Second Game:
GINEBRA 92—Caguioa 30, Alexander 19, Artadi 11, Helterbrand 11, Mamaril 8, Valenzuela 8, Salvacion 5, Pacana 0, Wilson 0, Menk 0.
STA. LUCIA 90—Williams 24, Benson 23, Omolon 17, Reyes 9, Yeo 9, Aquino 4, Miranda 2, Espino 2, Mendoza 0.
Quarters: 14-24, 37-42, 62-66, 92-90