Magnolia’s Mark Barroca. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia used a feisty third quarter to dig itself out of a hole and put the enemy in one on Saturday night on the way to a gutsy 87-73 victory over NLEX in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon combined for 20 points in that fightback to capture a third-straight victory to improve to 4-3.
“We got some sort of momentum in the first six minutes of the third and then everything else followed,” said Chito Victolero whose charges are currently in the middle of the pack despite missing cornerstone Paul Lee.
Barroca finished with 18 points, while Jalalon added 16 more to go with six rebounds and nine assists. Ian Sangalang chipped in 12 while Calvin Abueva had eight in his first game back after serving as suspension.
“We just need to step things up. We have four games left, so we need to focus,” added Victolero.
JR Quinahan had 17 points while Don Trollano and Calvin Oftana tossed in 14 each for NLEX who were in control in the first two frames.
Aside from frantically trying to keep up with the Hotshots’ vaunted defense, the Road Warriors came up frosty in that telling third quarter, pretty much dooming them to a 4-3 win-loss record.
Magnolia plays winless Terrafirma next with a chance to move and disrupt the mini-race for a playoff bonus between sister teams San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra and defending champion TNT.
NLEX, on the other hand, hopes to rebound against hard-luck Converge.
The Scores
Magnolia 87 – Barroca 18, Jalalon 16, Dionisio 14, Sangalang 12, Abueva 8, Wong 8, Dela Rosa 6, Corpuz 5, Corpuz 5, Reavis 0, Ahanmisi 0, Escoto 0.
NLEX 73 – Quinahan 17, Trollano 14, Oftana 14, Chua 9, Alas 9, Rosales 7, Semerad 2, Ighalo 1, Paniamogan 0, Magat 0, Miranda 0.
Quarterscores: 20-24, 32-46, 65-58, 87-73.