PBA: Hotshots torch Gin Kings, force decider

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia came out with a lot of zest and quelled everything Barangay Ginebra threw their way in a 106-77 victory to level the playing field of their best-of-three PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series Monday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The Hotshots made use of a blistering 11-0 start to keep the crowd darlings at the backseat early on. They kept on adding to the lead, widening the gap to as many as 31 points late in the game.

Ian Sangalang scored 21 points while Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon made up for their lackluster showing in Game 1 to tally 17 and 13, respectively.

“The most important thing here was our mind-set: That we needed to go all out,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero told reporters. “This is what exactly we had hoped for. A chance to compete.”

Third-ranked Barangay Ginebra drew much of its production from Sol Mercado, who scored 13 points. But he was the lone cager to churn out 10 or more for a team that played catchup from the get-go.

Magnolia will try to ride on the momentum and dispose of their Manila Clasico rival this Wednesday at the same venue.

“I like [our chances],” Victolero said. “With the same level of effort and desire, I think we’ll have a chance.”

The scores:

Magnolia 106 – Sangalang 21, Herndon 18, Jalalon 17, Barroca 13, Lee 13, Dela Rosa 11, Ramos 6, Abundo 3, Reavis 2, Brondial 2, Gamalinda 0, Melton 0, Pascual 0.

Ginebra 77 – Mercado 13, Thompson 8, Ferrer 8, Dela Cruz 7, Caperal 6, Teodoro 6, Tenorio 5, Aguilar J. 5, Slaughter 5, Chan 4, Devance 4, Mariano 2.

Quarters: 25-18, 51-38, 81-54, 106-77.