Magnolia import Mike Harris. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia had a rousing debut in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup, steamrolling Terrafirma, 114-87, Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum.
Mike Harris and Calvin Abueva each notched a double-double with the veteran reinforcement posting 30 points and 15 rebounds for the Hotshots.
“Actually, we really wanted to start strong. We want to start strong,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero, whose squad finished runner-up in the Philippine Cup.
“We want to send a message right away.”
Abueva, the Best Player of the Conference in the Philippine Cup, added 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Welcome BAAACK fans!
Abueva hail mary! 46-35 Magnolia at the half. #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/4EDVawdjK9
— PBA (@pbaconnect) December 15, 2021
The game marked the league’s return at the historic Big Dome for the first time since March 2020.
Fans were also welcomed back in the stands at a limited capacity for the first time since the pandemic.
Antonio Hester scored 21 points while Juami Tiongson had 20 for Terrafirma, which dropped to 1-2.