Magnolia whips Phoenix in Chris Banchero’s debut

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MANILA, Philippines—Flaunting a deeper guard rotation, Magnolia ran circles around Phoenix in a masterful 97-81 win in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday night at Cuneta Astrodome.

The Hotshots’ guards combined for 47 points including 10 from Chris Banchero, who was just acquired from the Alaska Aces three days ago in a trade.

Banchero, who was shipped to Magnolia in exchange for Rodney Brondial and Robbie Herndon, also collected five rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes off the bench mostly with Paul Lee as his backcourt tandem on the floor.

Lee also came off the bench and had 15 points, four rebounds and six assists.

Import Romeo Travis led the Hotshots with a near triple-double effort of 20 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists that went with two steals and two blocks while Ian Sangalang added 17 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

It was a wire-to-wire win for Magnolia (5-4), which moved just half a game behind fourth-running Barangay Ginebra (5-3).

Alonzo Gee had a game-high 24 points but shot just 8-of-27 from the field for the Fuel Masters (2-7).