Magnolia center Ian Sangalang goes to work inside against Barangay Ginebra’s defense in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at Mall of Asia Arena. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines-Magnolia got back on track Sunday night, keeping Barangay Ginebra at bay, 89-84, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Ian Sangglang and Jio Jalalon rolled up their sleeves in the fourth quarter to help the Hotshots buck Calvin Abueva’s ejection and notch a much-needed second victory heading into the halfway point of the Philippine Cup, where they were last year’s finalists.
“I salute my players. We talked about adversity and challenges. We’ve been playing three games in the last five days playing elite teams. Our goal is to win two out of three and we did just that,” said coach Chito Victolero.
Sangalang finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Jalalon had 19 points and six assists as Magnolia handed Ginebra its first loss after a 2-0 start to the conference.
The Gin Kings drew 15 points from LA Tenorio, 13 from Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson, and then at least 10 each from Christian Standhardinger, Prince Caperal, and Arvin Tolentino, but the crowd darlings ran out juice when it mattered most.
Magnolia hopes to sustain its winning ways when it plays Phoenix (2-2) next.
Ginebra, meanwhile, shoots for a rebound victory against NLEX (2-1).
The Scores
Magnolia 89 – Sangalang 24, Jalalon 19, Abueva 9, Corpuz 9, Wong 7, Dela Rosa 7, Barroca 6, Laput 6, Dionisio 2, Escoto 0, Ahanmisi 0.
Barangay Ginebra 84 – Tenorio 15, Thompson 13, Standhardinger 12, Caperal 11, Tolentino 10, Aguilar 9, Pringle 6, Chan 4, Pinto 4, Mariano 0.
Quarters: 26-21, 47-40, 70-61, 89-84.