Magnolia continues its early Philippine Cup mastery in Zamboanga

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots captured their fourth straight victory in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup after dominating the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 118-99, on Friday, April 26, in Zamboanga.

Hometown hero Mark Barroca delivered his best performance of the conference so far, thrilling his fellow Chabacanos with 16 points (7/14 FGs), six rebounds, five assists, and one steal.

Peter Alfaro, another proud Zamboanga native, chipped in six markers and two boards while helping orchestrate the Hotshots’ offense.

Before tip-off, Barroca—who celebrated his 39th birthday yesterday, his first in Zamboanga in 20 years—expressed gratitude to his kababayans, joined by Alfaro and Phoenix’s RR Garcia in thanking the home crowd.

The game started as a seesaw battle, but Magnolia quickly found its rhythm, closing the first quarter with a 35-27 lead behind Ian Sangalang’s flawless 11-point output on 5-of-5 shooting. Sangalang eventually paced Magnolia with 20 markers, three boards, two dimes, and one deflection.

Phoenix mounted a fightback in the second quarter, but Magnolia responded with another offensive explosion, hitting another 30-point period. Zavier Lucero scored 13 of his 17 points during the frame, Paul Lee added 12 of his 17 total, and Jerrick Ahanmisi nailed a back-to-back three-pointer and a four-pointer to tally seven points.

The Fuel Masters stayed within striking distance early in the third canto, but the Hotshots’ balanced attack pushed the lead to 94-74 entering the final quarter.

Phoenix still tried to climb back from the deficit, led by Kai Ballungay, who finished with a double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds, and another Zamboanga native, Garcia, who had 22 markers, three boards, and five dimes. However, Magnolia’s lead, which even ballooned to as high as 28 points, was too much for them to handle.

Five Hotshots finished in double figures, with James Laput rounding out the group after producing 10 points in nearly 17 minutes of action.

Rome Dela Rosa, Calvin Abueva, Russel Escoto, and Jerom Lastimosa also chipped in at least four points apiece for Magnolia.

Besides Ballungay and Garcia, only Jason Perkins reached double digits for Phoenix, finishing with 17 markers.

Bench scoring was a major difference-maker, with Magnolia’s reserves outscoring Phoenix’s second unit, 69-45. The Hotshots also dominated second-chance points, 20-10.

Magnolia’s efficient outside shooting also proved crucial, as the Hotshots knocked down 13 of their 28 attempts from beyond the arc.

The loss dropped Phoenix to a 1-3 record after previously upsetting defending champion Meralco Bolts on April 13. The Fuel Masters aim to regroup against the TNT Tropang Giga on May 2 at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

Meanwhile, Magnolia will look to sustain its hot streak when it faces Terrafirma Dyip on May 4 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Magnolia 118 - Sangalang 20, Barroca 18, Lucero 17, Lee 17, Laput 10, Dela Rosa 8, Ahanmisi 7, Abueva 6, Alfaro 6, Escoto 5, Lastimosa 4, Dionisio 0.

Phoenix 99 - Ballungay 25, Garcia 22, Perkins 17, Tio 8, Soyud 6, Tuffin 5, Rivero 4, Camacho 4, Jazul 4, Manganti 4, Daves 0, Ular 0, Verano 0, Alejandro 0.

Quarter Scores: 35-27: 67-53: 94-74: 118-99.