Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Magnolia caught fire early to torch Columbian, 126-101, in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots outscored the Dyip, 37-18, in the first 12 minutes of the game en route to their second straight win.
The game was over quick with Magnolia’s lead swelling to 32 points, 72-40, in the second quarter after Alvin Abundo’s triple while Columbian never recovered.
In a matchup of the league’s most explosive offense and stingiest defense, it was the Hotshots’ dirty work that stopped the Dyip on its tracks.
Magnolia holds its opponents to a league-best 88.1 points per game, fully compensating for its humble 89.5 ppg production, and that vaunted defense was in full display against the Dyip, who top the conference with 111.8 points per outing.
“We have to respect this Columbian team because they’re on a really good run right now,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero in Filipino. “It’s a battle of our defense against their offense, and it was a good thing that my players had the right mindset.”
Vernon Macklin, who played his penultimate game in the PBA before flying to China to play in another professional league, posted 19 points and nine boards to lead the Hotshots.
Ian Sangalang had 18 points to add to Magnolia’s cause with Paul Lee posting 17 points and eight assists while Mark Barroca had a similar line of 17 points and six assists.
Jio Jalalon missed out on a double-double as he finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.
John Fileds had a 22-point, 19-rebound double-double to play conductor for the Dyip while Jerramy King had 19 points.