Hotshots make it 5 straight

Magnolia continued its hot streak and zapped Meralco, 99-88, in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup Petron Saturday Special at MVA City Coliseum in Zamboanga.

Local hero Mark Barroca had himself a homecoming to remember with 21 points and seven assists as he spearheaded the Hotshots’ fifth straight victory that maintained their hold of the third seed with a 5-2 record.

Magnolia, which opened its conference with two straight losses, matched league-leading TNT’s streak this conference.

The Hotshots opened the floodgates early, taking a 32-15 lead after the first quarter on the strength of an 18-0 run that broke a deadlock at 12.

Jio Jalalon’s jumper capped that blitzkrieg that gave Magnolia a 30-12 lead with half a minute left in the period.

Magnolia’s biggest scare didn’t come in the form of a scoring outburst from the Bolts but in star guard Paul Lee falling to the floor after what looked like an ankle sprain.

Delroy James accidentally landed on Lee’s left foot that momentarily sent the oft-injured guard to the bench with 10:21 to play.

Lee, though, returned to the game at the 5:31 mark, finishing the game with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting.

James Farr held the paint for the Hotshots with 19 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks while Ian Sangalang added 11 points and 10 boards.