Departing Macklin lifts Magnolia
Games Tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:30 p.m. – Blackwater vs TNT KaTropa 7 p.m. – Meralco vs Magnolia
Vernon Macklin scored all of his 19 points in the first half of his penultimate game as import of the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, who contributed to the rollercoaster campaign of the Columbian Dyip last night with a 126-101 rout in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Macklin also had eight rebounds in nearly 29 minutes, helping the Hotshots secure their second win in three matches in the final stretch of his second PBA stint after accepting a contract to play in China’s National Basketball League.
The 31-year-old American suits up for his final game with Magno- lia tomorrow against Meralco at the Big Dome.
“Right before the start (of the conference) alam namin na aalis siya,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero. “The plan was for him to play his first four games para lang at least we have time to find a replacement.”
Ian Sangalang had 18 points and four rebounds, Mark Barroca and Paul Lee scored 17 points each, Jio Jalalon produced 11 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals and Aldrech Ramos added 12 for the Hotshots.
The Hotshots won back-to-back games after an 89-87 loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters last May 6.
John Fields finished with 22 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks but the Dyip suffered another lopsided defeat and dropped to an even 3-3 record before the All-Star break.
Jerramy King hit 19 points and Rashawn McCarthy was the other double-digit scorer for the Dyip but shot 3-of-10 from the field.
Columbian showed little of the form that saw coach Ricky Dandan’s wards deal Rain or Shine its first loss last week and almost had the same margin of defeat it had last May 4 when it fell 134-101 to Alaska.
Magnolia was in control right from the onset, shooting 70 percent in the first quarter to take a 37-18 lead led by Macklin’s 11 points.
The margin ballooned to 33 points, 80-47, on a Barroca triple early in the third before Victolero dispatched his seldom-used players during garbage time.
Macklin 19, Sangalang 18, Barroca 17, Lee 17, Ramos 12, Jalalon 11, Dela Rosa 8, Abundo 7, Pascual 6, Herndon 5, Brondial 2, Mendoza 2, Simon 2, Gamalinda 0, Reavis 0. Fields 22, King 19, McCarthy 12, Khobuntin 9, Tubid 9, Corpuz 8, Celda 7, Cabrera 6, Lastimosa 5, Cahilig 4, Ababou 0, Escoto 0, Gabriel 0, Yee 0. Quarters: 37-18; 72-43; 97-71; 126-101.