Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philipines–Magnolia showed Rain or Shine the door on Wednesday night, using a masterful 118-87 victory in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots had seven players scoring in double figures with Jio Jalalon turning in an all-around performance of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Jerrick Ahanmisi a game-high 19 points to help the club annex a sixth-straight win in the conference where they finished as a runner-up last year.
“I think we’re peaking at the right time,” coach Chito Victolero said as his squad flex its offensive muscles on a decimated Elasto Painters squad.
“We started the conference with injuries to Calvin (Abueva) and Rome (Dela Rosa), and then an injury to Paul (Lee). I think this is one of the few games we’re truly complete. Hopefully, going into the playoffs, we can stay healthy. We just need a proper mindset,” he went on.
With four veterans—including cornerstone Rey Nambatac–shelved due to the league’s health and safety protocols, the Painters had to make do with their young guys.
Santi Santillan had 19 points while Anton Asistio and Andrei Caracut 12 each for the blue-collar squad which wrapped their elimination round with a 4-7 record.
Magnolia’s victory enables Converge, Blackwater, and NLEX to formalize their passage into the quarterfinal phase of the centerpiece tournament.
Should the three clubs figure in a three-way tie by the end of the preliminaries, it will be the Road Warriors taking the No. 6 spot. The FiberXers, struggling early on, winds up at No. 7 with skidding Blackwater taking No. 8.
Magnolia can still lock up the No. 3 spot when it battles Blackwater this Friday.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 118 – Ahanmisi 19, Jalalon 16, Abueva 13, Sangalang 12, Barroca 12, Corpuz 11, Lee 11, Dionisio 8, Escoto 5, Wong 4, Brill 3, Dela Rosa 2, Zaldivar 2, Laput 0, Reavis 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 87 – Santillan 17, Caracut 12, Asistio 12, Nieto 9, Torres 9, Mamuyac 8, Belga 7, Demusis 5, Ildefonso 5, Guinto 3, Tolentino 0, Clarito 0.
QUARTERS: 31-21, 61-38, 87-64, 118-87.