Hotshots shut down Batang Pier

Magnolia’s Vernon Macklin drives hard against the defense of GlobalPort’s Malcolm White. —PBA IMAGES

Magnolia shut down GlobalPort’s energetic duo of Sean Anthony and Stanley Pringle during the crucial moments for a 92-87 win on Saturday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at AUF Sports Arena in Angeles City.

Paul Lee sacrificed himself to slow down the hardworking Anthony while Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon alternated in forcing the athletic Pringle to take challenged shots that totally missed their mark.

As the Hotshots clamped down on the Batang Pier backcourt, Ian Sangalang found holes in the GlobalPort defense underneath en route to Magnolia’s first victory in the import-laced conference.

Sangalang barreled his way to the rim, scoring five of his 22 points in a late run that allowed the Hotshots to finally break free from the stubborn Batang Pier.

After Anthony knotted the count at 85 one last time with a three-point play, Pringle bungled his baseline drive and a forceful move to the basket in succession that led to GlobalPort’s second defeat in four games.

The Batang Pier’s massive frontline of Mo Tautuaa and Malcolm White dominated at the onset, but both of them suddenly got bottled up after getting just a few touches in the end.

Vernon Macklin and White actually canceled each other out at the post with Macklin getting away with 19 points and 13 rebounds as Magnolia bounced back from a sorry defeat against the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine will take its turn on top rookie pick Christian Standhardinger and the San Miguel Beermen at 6:45 p.m. at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Still feeling their way around, the Beermen lost to the Meralco Bolts in their conference debut, with the 6-foot-8 Standhardinger finishing with measly numbers of four points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 20 minutes of action off the bench.

The Elasto Painters (3-1) had their three-win start cut after a loss to the Columbian Dyip.

Unbeaten in three outings, the Talk N Text KaTropa aim to stretch that run against the Alaska Aces (2-1) in the 4:30 p.m. opener.