PBA: Streaking Magnolia blows out rival Ginebra to clinch QF spot

Red-hot Magnolia continued to roll in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup by routing longtime rival Barangay Ginebra, 112-93, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots roared back from a sluggish 6-0 start in the opening period and never looked back, building a lead as big as 28 points to crush the Gin Kings who were just coming off their own blowout win against Rain or Shine last Friday.

Zav Lucero led the local unit with 21 points and nine rebounds while import KJ Buffen posted a double-double of 14 markers and 10 rebounds to go alongside three assists and two blocks as the Hotshots clinched a quarterfinal berth with a 6-3 card in Group b.

Mark Barroca also showed his veteran presence by scoring 15 points as Jerom Lastimosa chipped in 16 markers, seven assists, and three rebounds off the bench.

"Whenever we play against Ginebra, the one thing we should focus on is their execution. They're very disciplined in their executions," Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio.

"Honestly, I was watching their game against Rain or Shine and I told my team that the Ginebra I saw is the Ginebra I see every time they play a championship."

Taking Tenorio’s assessment of Ginebra to heart, the Hotshots came out with the intensity of a championship game.

After the Gin Kings unleashed a 6-0 start led by import Jordan Murphy, the Hotshots stepped on the gas by unleashing a 16-3 run capped by a Buffen triple before they ended the first period enjoying a 34-19 cushion.

Lucero and Lastimosa then connived to turn a 50-40 lead into a 63-46 edge at halftime.

Ginebra threatened to make things interesting when Murphy cut the deficit to 12, 67-55, midway through the third quarter. But Magnolia quickly snuffed out the rally as Chris Koon drained a triple to stretch the lead to 80-55.

The Hotshots then cruised through the final period, with Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone eventually pulling his starters and turning to his bench to close out the game that sent Ginebra to a 3-5 card.

Murphy led Ginebra with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists while Abarrientos chipped in 12 markers in just 27 minutes of action.

—JMB, GMA News