Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero tries to score against NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup in Candon, Ilocos Sur.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia became the first team to secure a quarterfinals berth by defeating slumping NorthPort, 106-97, and bounced back after absorbing its first defeat in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
Paul Lee knocked down two four-point shots while Aris Dionisio connected on a pair of triples and the Hotshots pulled away from the Batang Pier after a seesaw contest to regain sole possession of top spot with a 7-1 record.
READ: PBA: Rain or Shine halts Magnolia’s unbeaten run
The Hotshots got back on track after being handed an 18-point loss by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last weekend in Montalban, Rizal.
Zavier Lucero finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks to continue his all-around showing that has been one of the reasons for Magnolia’s success this conference.
Mark Barroca put up 15 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three assists, Lee came off the bench for 16 points, five rebounds and six assists and Dionisio added 10.
William Navarro produced 27 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and four steals but NorthPort lost for the sixth consecutive time since starting the all-Filipino with a win to fall in a share of 10th with Blackwater.
READ: Magnolia win over Meralco overshadowed by late scuffle
Joshua Munzon struggled to a 5-of-21 shooting despite 14 points for the Batang Pier, who are still without Arvin Tolentino amid his hip flexor injury and rumors of a potential move overseas after the season.
NorthPort, with also help from ex-Magnolia guard Jio Jalalon, did take the lead in the third before Magnolia came back and eventually retake control of the match.
The Batang Pier trailed 89-88 after a three-point play conversion from Navarro, but Calvin Abueva scored before Lee hit a four and two to trigger a Hotshots breakaway. Back-to-back threes from Dionisio later stretched the gap to 106-93, nearly three minutes to go.
Frustration boiled late when NorthPort’s Sidney Onwubere gave a hard foul on Lucero, prompting Dionisio to confront Onwubere with 29.5 seconds left.
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