PBA: Top seed Magnolia eases past Alaska

Magnolia Hotshots guard Jio Jalalon goes after the loose ball during a game against the Alaska Aces in the PBA Governors’ Cup. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia played with sustained brilliance on Sunday night, blowing out Alaska, 118-91, before a good-sized crowd at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Import Mike Harris scored 38 points and pulled 10 rebounds. Ian Sangalang, Jio Jalalon, and Jackson Corpuz each added double-digit scores as the Hotshots tightened the noose on the Governors’ Cup top spot which comes with playoff protection.

Jalalon drops it off to Escoto

107-80 Magnolia #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/vfZ16wet6f

— PBA (@pbaconnect) March 6, 2022

“Pregame, I told the players that there’s no such thing as a no-bearing game,” said coach Chito Victolero, whose charges rose to a 9-1 win-loss record. “The most important game is the one at hand.”

Alaska got the goods from RK Ilagan, who finished with 14 points. Maverick Ahanmisi and Olu Ashaolu added 12 each while Allyn Bulanadi 11 in the losing effort which also saw veteran Sonny Thoss feted with a jersey retirement ceremony.

The farewelling Aces dropped to 6-5, their bid for a twice-to-beat hanging by a thread due to a potential logjam in the middle of the pack.

Up next for Magnolia is Blackwater, which is in danger of finishing the PBA’s 46th season without a single victory.

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