PBA: Magnolia pulls away from Terrafirma late, grabs back-to-back wins

Magnolia stepped on the gas pedal in the final frame to complete an 85-70 win against Terrafirma and continue its resurgence in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

The Hotshots leaned on import Clint Chapman and Zav Lucero to notch back-to-back wins after a 0-3 start while the Dyip absorbed their second straight loss after a 3-0 opening. 

Chapman sizzled with a double-double outing of 28 points and 11 rebounds together with three assists, two blocks, and one steal while Lucero led the local support with 13 markers, eight boards, and three blocks.

Rome Dela Rosa added 11 points and six rebounds while Ian Sangalang and Paul Lee chipped in nine and eight markers each as they held Terrafirma to just 28 points in the second half, which head coach LA Tenorio highlighted during the halftime break. 

"After the first half, after my talk during the halftime, I really emphasized us playing defense. Actually, we had a slow start offensively but I think defensively, we're on track but I still emphasized it," Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio said. 

"Obviously, we can score anytime, but the question is can we get a stop."

With their defense clicking, the Hotshots also caught fire on offense with Dela Rosa and Chapman each firing a triple to bring the squad to a 74-61 cushion in the fourth period. 

Lucero then buried his own three-pointer before Chapman escaped the defense of Geo Chiu and Ali Mubashar to stretch the lead to 81-66 in the final 2:06 en route to the 15-point rout. 

Jerrick Ahanmisi, fresh off his Gilas Pilipinas campaign at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, starred for Terrafirma with 21 points laced with four rebounds and four assists while Mubashar and Maverick Ahanmisi churned out 18 and 11 markers. 

The win gave Magnolia a huge boost ahead of its Manila Clasico rivalry game against Barangay Ginebra on Friday. 

—JMB, GMA News