MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia dominated the middle quarters on the way to clobbering Barangay Ginebra, 88-73 to galvanize its playoff hopes in their Manila Clasico PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots outscored the Gin Kings, 50-33 in the second and third quarters that enabled them to pull away, leading by as many as 20 points on the way to the win, tying their victims at 2-3.
Zavier Lucero led Magnolia with 24 points and 10 rebounds, KJ Buffen added 23 and 11, while Ian Sangalang 16 in a balanced effort.
Stephen Holt led Ginebra with 17 points, while Riley Grigsby only had 15 on 5-of-19 shooting.
Rain or Shine continued its ain the first game, Rain or Shine extended its winning ways after hacking out an 85-83 win against Meralco.
The Elasto Painters led by 11 points and early, but the Bolts made the bold push in the middle quarters to take control.
But ROS managed to recover its bearing, limiting Meralco to just eight points on 15 percent field goal shooting in the last period to register its fourth straight win after a 0-2 start.
Aaron Fuller led ROS with 25 points and 13 rebounds, rookie Vincent Cuajao added 12, while Jhon Clarito and Caelan Tiongson 11 apiece.
Chris Newsome led Meralco with 16 points, import Antonio Hester ha 15 and 13 boards.
Meralco fell to 2-4.
