• MAGNOLIA ADDS TO TNT WOES
Lightning didn’t strike twice for Magnolia as the Hotshots made sure they followed through after seizing a doubledigit spread this time around.
Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:30 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Meralco 6:45 p.m. – NorthPort vs Barangay Ginebra
Red-faced from blowing a 26-point tear in an 85-86 heartbreaker to NLEX last week, the redemption-seeking Hotshots came through with an inspired performance from start to finish en route to a 100-93 victory over skidding TNT KaTropa in the PBA Governors Cup last night in Davao City.
Romeo Travis led a well-balanced Magnolia attack in the Petron Saturday Special duel at University of Southeastern Philippines University Gym as the Hotshots ended the elims at 6-5 and cemented their standing as sixth seed in the quarterfinals.
The defending champions added to the woes of the KaTropa, who have now lost three straight from a 7-0 start. TNT’s fall gave idle San Miguel (6-4) a chance to vie for the fourth and last twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, putting much more stake in the two squads’ anticipated elims showdown on Wednesday.
Travis dropped 21 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three steals while Chris Banchero (13-4-5), Paul Lee (13), Jio Jalalon (9), and Marc Barroca (9) gave their share for the Hotshots, who seized a 23-point lead and had the counter to TNT’s major endgame uprising.
KJ McDaniels fired 33 while Ray Parks added 21 for embattled TNT.
The Hotshots jumpstarted the second quarter with a 19-4 exchange built around Lee, Jalalon, Barroca and Travis to grab a 46-26 upperhand. Chito Victolero’s charges didn’t relinquish control and even though McDaniels and Co. threatened to within seven, Travis and Lee put the finishing touches to the W down the stretch.
Meanwhile, NorthPort (4-6) guns for a spot in the Last 8 as it takes on twice-tobeat guaranteed Barangay Ginebra (7-3) in tonight’s main game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Sizzling Meralco (8-2) seeks its sixth consecutive win and a shot at a Top 2 ranking in its 4:30 p.m. battle with quarters-chasing Rain or Shine (3-7).
Coming off a massive 102-94 shocker over pacesetter NLEX last Wednesday, the Batang Pier look to sustain the momentum and catch another big fish in the 6:45 p.m. encounter to avoid a hassle-free advance.
On the other hand, the Gin Kings intend to end the elims on a winning note and possibly a higher quarters seeding. The scores: Magnolia 100 – Travis 21, Banchero 13, Lee 13, Barroca 9, Jalalon 9, Ramos 8, Reavis 7, Pingris 6, Dela Rosa 6, Sangalang 5, Simon 3, Abundo 0.
TNT 93 – McDaniels 33, Parks 21, Pogoy 13, Vosotros 7, Rosario 6, Reyes 4, Digregorio 3, De Leon 2, Williams 2, Washington 2, Taha 0, Semerad 0, Magat 0.
Quarterscores: 27-22, 56-41, 79-62, 100-93