The Magnolia Hotshots claim their second win in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup. PBA Images
ILAGAN, Isabela — Magnolia has scored its second straight win in a row in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
The Hotshots leaned on a furious fourth quarter run to dispatch Titan Ultra, 127-119, on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Only a four-point 92-88 lead entering the final frame, coach LA Tenorio's wards unleashed a 13-0 run, blanking the Giant Risers to open that period.
Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang, and Zav Lucero sparked that solid rally, installing a 105-88 cushion that eventually became a 21-point lead at 119-98, as Javi Gomez de Liano converted a basket at the 2:54 mark.
The Giant Risers, in a last ditch attempt to return, actually came within eight, as Damie Cuntapay and Von Pessumal made back-to-back four-pointers for a 127-119 count, but that turned out to be the final score as the former Ateneo Blue Eagle missed his last shot from the extended arc, 12 seconds left to concede the match.
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Lucero finished with a massive 23-17 statline, to go with four assists and one block to earn Best Player of the Game nod.
Fellow big man Sangalang also breached the 20-point territory with 21 markers, five rebounds and three assists, as Barroca and Russel Escoto registered 16 points each.
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De Liano and Jerom Lastimosa completed the supporting cast with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
For their part, the Giant Risers lost two in a row after a good start, winning against Meralco in their Philippine Cup opener.
Former Hotshot Calvin Abueva did not suit up for Titan Ultra as he recovers from a hamstring injury, as Joshua Munzon paced the losing cause with 28 points and six assists.