MANILA – Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots broke away in the second half to defeat Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 107-92, in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Tyler Bey finished with a double-double of 32 points and 16 rebounds, while Jiovani Jalalon added 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block as the Hotshots improved to a 2-0 win-loss slate.
Andy Mark Barroca contributed 15 points, eight assists, one rebound and one steal while Paul Lee ended up with 13 points, including two three-point conversions, for the Hotshots.
From a 51-all score at the half, the Hotshots opened the third quarter with conversions from Bey, Lee and Rome dela Rosa for a 68-57 lead. The Fuel Masters cut the deficit to 66-71, but connections by Barroca and Bey widened the lead to 80-70.
The Hotshots continued its run in the fourth quarter as conversions by Barroca, Jalalon, Lee and Bey as the lead reached its largest at 22 points at 97-75 with over seven minutes left.
Johnathan Williams III tallied 26 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, Jayjay Alejandro added 15 markers, while Javee Mocon, Ken Tuffin and Jason Perkins added 11 markers apiece as the Fuel Masters dropped to 1-1.
In the first game, NorthPort Batang Pier banked on the career game of Arvin Tolentino as they prevailed over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters for a 2-0 start in the conference. The Painters dropped to 0-2.
The Gilas Pilipinas forward anchored the Batang Pier’s offense in the opening half with his outside shooting as they led by as much as 19 points before allowing the Painters to claw back to within 99-103 on a basket by Andrei Caracut.
But the Batang Pier responded with two free throws from Brent Paraiso followed by inside conversions from Tolentino and rookie Cade Flores as they lead increased to 109-99.
Tolentino finished with a career-high of 35 points, including five three-point conversions, Venkatesha Jois added 30 points, 21 rebounds, and seven assists, while Joshua Munzon, Calma, and Flores had 15, 11 and 10, respectively, for the Batang Pier./PN
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 107 – Bey 32, Jalalon 20, Barroca 15, Lee 13, Laput 6, Eriobu 5, Sangalang 4, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 2, Tratter 2, Dionisio 2, Corpuz 2, Murrell 0, Escoto 0.
PHOENIX 92 – Williams 26, Alejandro 15, Mocon 11, Tuffin 11, Perkins 11, Manganti 5, Tio 4, Rivero 4, Jazul 3, Lalata 2, Muyang 0, Soyud 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0.
Quarterscores: 22-22, 51-51, 80-70, 107-92.
