PBA: Magnolia returns to winning ways at expense of NLEX

Magnolia returned to the win column after beating Converge, 98-82, on Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.

The win came after the Hotshots fell to Converge last Friday, 114-97, and boosted their bid for a top-four spot.

After leading 28-22 in the first quarter, Magnolia pulled away in the next frame and limited the Road Warriors to just eight points against their 19 to claim a 47-30 lead.

Magnolia then continued to pound on NLEX in the second half and held its biggest lead, 88-66, at the 7:01 mark of the final frame after a James Laput layup.

NLEX made an 8-0 run to trim the deficit to 88-74, but the Hotshots held off the Road Warriors to eventually claim the victory.

Zav Lucero had 18 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks to lead Magnolia, while Rome dela Rosa and Mark Barroca had 14 and 12 points, respectively. James Laput and Chris Koon chipped in 11 points apiece, while Ian Sangalang added 10 points.

Javee Mocon and Robert Bolick had 12 points each, while Jonnel Policarpio, Kevin Alas, and Xyrus Torres added 11 points apiece for NLEX.

Magnolia improved to 6-3, while NLEX slipped to the same record.

Scores:

Magnolia 98 – Lucero 18, Dela Rosa 14, Barroca 12, Laput 11, Koon 11, Sangalang 10, Gomez de Liano 9, Lee 4, Lastimosa 4, Eriobu 3, Alfaro 2, Gomez 0.

NLEX 82 – Mocon 12, Bolick 12, Alas 11, Policarpio 11, Torres 11, Ramirez 7, Nieto 6, Baho 4, Valdez 4, Fajardo 2, Herndon 2, Capulong 0, Onwubere 0.

Quarters: 28-22, 47-30, 70-52, 98-82.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News