Magnolia Hotshots’ James Laput in the PBA on Tour. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia weathered a physical affair against Terrafirma to complete a sweep of the PBA on Tour with a 106-92 win at San Juan Arena on Wednesday.
The Hotshots won all 11 of their preseason games, a feat that coach Chito Victolero wanted to achieve, but it did not come easy.
Magnolia had to endure a highly-physical battle against the Dyip which did not surprise Victolero one bit.
“Yeah [I expected physicality], because I watched them before already and they also take this preseason very seriously because they want to improve. I think it’s good for us, both teams, to have that competitive spirit,” the veteran tactician said.
“Until the fourth quarter, we fought. We struggled in our defense in the start, especially in the second quarter but we recovered.”
With time winding down in the third frame, the score was tied at 69-all before Joseph Eriobu sank a quarter-ending triple to put them up at 72-69.
Magnolia Hotshots’ Jio Jalalon in the PBA on Tour. –PBA IMAGES
That triple, however, became the start of a 14-2 run that put the Hotshots up big, 83-71. The physicality, however, was just beginning.
Jed Mendoza gave up a personal foul on Ed Daquioag in a testy collision which busted open the latter’s eyebrow.
With Daquioag sitting on the bench to stop the bleeding, the Dyip was unable to stop theirs as the Hotshots took a commanding 92-79 lead which they rode until the end.
Victolero expressed his pride for his wards at the end of the game for finishing the On Tour with flying colors.
“We’re just all very happy because we did our goal in the preseason.”
James Laput posted a double-double performance of 16 points and 11 rebounds in the Magnolia win while Eriobu chipped in with 15 points of his own.
Javi Gomez de Liaño top scored for Terrafirma, which wrapped up the tournament with a 7-4 card, with 14 markers, six boards and four assists in a losing effort. Andreas Cahilig also had a near double-double with 14 markers and nine rebounds but to no avail.