MANILA – Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots manhandled NLEX Road Warriors from start to finish for a 111-97 rout in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Nicholas Rakocevic led the way with double-double 36 points and 16 rebounds. The Hotshots solidified its hold on the top spot of the standings with a perfect 4-0 win-loss slate.
Jiovani Jalalon chipped in 18 points to go with eight assists and six steals, while Andy Mark Barroca waxed hot early to end up with 16 points for the Hotshots.
From a tight start in the first quarter, the Road Warriors pulled away behind conversions by Jalalon and Jerrick Ahanmisi for a 34-23 edge, which later stayed at 58-48 at the half.
Magnolia heightened their aggression further in the second half behind the tandem of Barroca and Rakocevic as the lead reached its largest at 22 points in the fourth quarter.
Bacolodnon Justin Chua and Kevin Alas tallied 16 points apiece, Earl Clark and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had 15 points each, while Celedonio Trollano added 12 as the Road Warriors dropped to 2-2.
In the first game, Arvin Tolentino caught fire in the fourth quarter as NorthPort Batang Pier (3-2) cruised to a come-from-behind 87-83 victory over Blackwater Bossing (2-3).
Down 66-74 early in the fourth period, Tolentino had a 10-point barrage coupled by conversions from Kevin Ferrer, Prince Ibeh and Arwind Santos to surge the Batang Pier ahead at 82-79.
Blackwater made its last push at 81-82 via an inside hit by Jeth Troy Rosario but NorthPort answered with a layup by Santos, a free throw by Ibeh and a drive from Jerrick Balanza secured the win.
Tolentino finished with 15 points, with 10 coming in the fourth quarter, Ibeh had double-double 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Santos and Balanza added 14 and 13, respectively, for the Batang Pier.
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 111 — Rakocevic 36, Jalalon 18, Barroca 16, Lee 9, Dionisio 8, Corpuz 8, Ahanmisi 4, Reavis 3, Abueva 3, Wong 2, Laput 2, Zaldivar 2, Mendoza 0, Escoto 0.
NLEX 97 — Chua 16, Alas 16, Clark 15, Ganuelas-Rosser 15, Trollano 12, Nieto 7, Fonacier 6, Ighalo 6, Varilla 3, Miranda 1, Celda 0.
Quarterscores: 34-23, 58-48, 86-65, 111-97./PN
