Hotshots halt slide, end KaTropa’s winning run

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Magnolia finally stopped its downward spiral after a dominating win over TNT, 111-89, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Hotshots halted their three-game losing streak and got to even territory with a 4-4 record for a share of fifth place with GlobalPort while the KaTropa saw their three-game run get snapped as they dropped to 6-2.

After a fairly competitive third quarter wherein Magnolia took a 79-73 lead, the Hotshots brought out the fire and torched the KaTropa with a blistering 20-3 run to extend the lead to 23, 99-76, midway through the fourth quarter.

Jio Jalalon was among the catalysts for Magnolia with his three straight layups putting his team ahead by 21 before Rodney Brondial capped off the run with an inside basket for the 99-76 lead.

Paul Lee had 25 points to lead the Hotshots while import Justin Jackson added 18 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists.

Rodney Brondial came two rebounds shy of a double-double finishing with 15 points and eight boards for Magnolia while Jalalon had 13 points, five boards, six assists, and four steals.

Terrence Romeo led the KaTropa, who is in second, with 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists while Roger Pogoy, fresh from his stint in the Fiba 3×3 World Cup, had 16 points on 4-of-7 shooting from deep.