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Magnolia imports Antonio Hester. – PBA PICTURES
MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia got off to a slow start and dominated NorthPort with a 129-109 victory that clinched its spot in the quarterfinals of the PBA Governor’s Cup on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Antonio Hester led a big turnaround while Roma dela Rosa and Aris Dionisio were among those who stepped up as the Hotshots bounced back from a loss to the Meralco Bolts on Sunday.
The win moved Magnolia to 5-4 and allowed Barangay Ginebra (5-2) and Meralco (5-4) to also reach the quarters after NorthPort’s loss.
“It’s good that we recovered and played good basketball,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said after NorthPort raced to a 22-12 lead in the opener.
Hester had 28 points and 14 rebounds as he played a key role in the Hotshots’ turnaround as Dela Rosa scored 19 after making seven of 10 shots.
Dionisio came off the bench to produce 15 points and seven rebounds although Mark Barroca (21 points and eight assists), Calvin Abueva (18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals) and Paul Lee (16 points) also produced important numbers. .
The Hotshots held on to a slim chance at a second advantage to beat them with two games left in eliminations, all against lowly teams.
Terrafirma will be Magnolia’s next opponent on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City before taking on Blackwater on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Import Kevin Murphy scored 31 points while Robert Bolick had 30, but only two in the first half, as NorthPort saw the streak of back-to-back victories snapped and fell to 2-7.
NorthPort remains in contention for the last quarter berth, but must sweep the last two games and for the eighth-ranked Phoenix, at 4-5, to place the same number of matches to force the playoffs.
Score:
MAGNOLIA 129 – Hester 28, Barroca 21, Dela Rosa 19, Abueva 18, Lee 16, Dionisio 15, Escoto 7, Jalalon 3, Mendoza 2, Reavis 0, Ahanmisi 0, Wong 0, Zaldivar 0, Corpuz 0.
NORTHPORT 109 — Murphy 31, Bolick 30, Munzon 11, Calma 9, Chan 8, Taha 6, Tolentino 4, Salado 4, Zamar 3, Sumang 2, Santos 0, Caperal 0, Balagasay 0.
Quarter: 31-31, 73-47, 98-84, 129-109.
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