Hotshots right their ship by dealing Dyip another blow

MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Jerrick Ahanmisi knocked down four four-point shots in Magnolia’s lopsided win over Terrafirma in Group A of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday, capping off a week that saw teams go for more attempts from the second arc.

Ahanmisi finished with 24 points as the Hotshots prevailed, 124-103, over the winless Dyip at Ninoy Aquino Stadium to go 2-2 in the season-opening conference. He now has seven quadruples —the most by any player—since the league introduced the shot at the start of the season.

Minus the output in the Meralco-NorthPort contest being played at press time, teams attempted more fours in the second week, going from 138 to 148. But the number of conversions increased from 30 to 39, including those from Ahanmisi, the first to have four in a game.

League percentage improved from 21.7 percent to 24.1 as teams are slowly getting used to having the 27-foot line in place amid pros and cons discussed on social media and around the PBA circles prior to the season-opener.

“Actually, [we’re still] not trying to tell them to shoot [from the four-point spot],” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose team made 6-of-17, the other coming from Paul Lee and another from Joseph Eriobu in garbage time.

First game-winner

Week 2 of the Governors’ Cup was also highlighted by Converge import Scotty Hopson’s winner against TNT and the dagger shot from Blackwater rookie Sedrick Barefield in the upset of Barangay Ginebra, making the four a decisive weapon if converted in a timely manner.

“I always tell them that during the flow of the game and you’re there then shoot it. So it’s still the same mentality,” Victolero said. “Percentage-wise, it won’t be as high as with other players. But if let’s say Jerrick makes the first shot, then he will look for the second shot, the third shot or the fourth shot.”

The Hotshots will end the night in a three-way share of third with the Converge FiberXers and the loser of the Bolts-Batang Pier tiff.

It’s been a shaky campaign thus far for Magnolia, which is also looking for consistency from import Glenn Robinson III, who finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and four assists despite dealing with food poisoning.

Victolero, however, said there’s no reason for him or the Hotshots to panic amid their win-loss record in the competitive group.

“We’re on the right track,” said Victolero. “Those losses were 50-50 chances and we have another chance to turn it around in the second round. But the thing is we have to beat the teams that we need to beat.” INQ