MANILA – Magnolia Hotshots rode on a strong first half to thwart the Meralco Bolts, 99-88, in the 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the MVA City Coliseum in Zamboanga City.
Zamboangeno Andy Mark Barroca had a game long brilliance with 21 points, including two triples, to go along with seven assists as the Hotshots won its fifth straight to improve to 5-2 record.
Reinforcement James Farr chipped in double-double 19 points and 17 rebounds, while Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang contributed 18 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Hotshots.
From a seesaw battle early in the first quarter, the Hotshots went on a strong run behind Barroca, Lee and Jiovani Jalalon to establish a 32-15 advantage after the game was knotted at 12-all.
The lead grew further for the Hotshots in the second period with Barroca and Lee hitting their outside hits and Farr and Sangalang converting inside for a 51-33 halftime advantage.
The Bolts countered with a strong start in the third canto as they trim the deficit to as low as 54-58 but three-pointers by Barroca and Lee and baskets from Farr and Rome dela Rosa brought the lead up to 70-59.
The Hotshots continued its run in the fourth as the lead reached its largest at 96-74 on Sangalang hit. The Bolts made its last push at 86-97 but a basket by Farr sealed the win for Magnolia.
Delroy James debuted with double-double 35 points and 10 rebounds but was still not enough as the Bolts slumped to 3-6 win-loss slate endangering their chance of making it to the playoffs./PN
