Magnolia import Antonio Hester in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia rolled past Phoenix Super LPG, 108-95, for a breakthrough victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Hotshots turned in a relentless second quarter, outscoring the Fuel Masters 35-15 to take control of the contest and ultimately end the club’s winless start that had dragged on for three games
“We finally won,” coach Chito Victolero said while heaving a sigh of relief in the customary post-game chat reserved for winning coaches.
Much of the Hotshots’ victory, according to Victolero, was due to new import Antonio Hester, the club’s second import who finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds that went with six rebounds.
Antonio Hester about to make his debut as Magnolia import in today’s PBA Governors’ Cup match against Phoenix here at Mall of Asia Arena.
Hester, coming off a stint with the Zamboanga Valientes in the ABL, will try to turn the fortunes of the 0-3 Hotshots. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/hN4G5KGtSL
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 10, 2023
“He changed a lot of our movements, especially our offensive schemes. That’s why we got this guy to open up the floor,” the Magnolia coach said of the burly replacement who succeeded the underwhelming Erik McCree.
Mark Barroca led the locals with 19 points while Calvin Abueva chipped in a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Paul Lee finished with 14 while Jerrick Ahanmisi 12 as the Hotshots gird for a blockbuster showdown against the sister team and fierce rival Barangay Ginebra, the defending conference champions.
“Whatever happens, we need to compete, we need to prepare and work hard for this game on Sunday,” Victolero said of his charges’ next test.
Phoenix got the goods from Jason Perkins and Larry Muyang, who finished with 20 and 15 points, respectively. Tyler Tio added 13 more as the locals struggled to make the contest interesting following a lackluster effort from import Du’Vaughn Maxwell, who was only able to put up 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 108 – Hester 28, Barroca 19, Abueva 18, Lee 14, Ahanmisi 12, Dela Rosa 6, Escoto 4, Wong 3, Jalalon 2, Laput 2, Corpuz 0, Reavis 0, Dionisio 0, Mendoza 0.
PHOENIX 95 – Perkins 20, Muyang 15, Tio 13, Maxwell 11, Jazul 9, Serrano 8, Manganti 6, Alejandro 4, Soyud 3, Adamos 3, Go 3, Lalata 0, Garcia 0, Camacho 0.
Quarterscores: 23-21, 58-36, 87-67, 108-95.