Magnolia rides on fiery 4th-quarter run to flatten reeling Blackwater
Magnolia Chicken Timplados streaked to its sixth straight victory behind a torrid fourth-quarter run to send Blackwater down to the canvas with its 105-84 win in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Hotshots turned a slim five-point lead into a 99-80 bubble heading into the final three minutes as import Tyler Bey, Paul Lee and Jio Jalalon joined hands in outscoring the Bossing, 35-19 in the payoff quarter.
I told them Blackwater can be (carrying a) 4-2 or 3-3 (record). It's just that they fall short in the end though the word (I told them) is respect for this team. We know we will really struggle playing against this team," Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said after the game.
The Bossing's locals led by this year's first round rookie selection Christian David, Mike Ayonayon, RK Ilagan, Troy Rosario and Rey Suerte carried the scoring cudgels, what with Puerto Rican import Chris Ortiz struggling against Magnolia's defense.
Four days after erupting for a personal PBA-high 46 points against Rain or Shine, the 30-year-old Blackwater reinforcement was held down to a conference-low eight points.
The do-it-all Ortiz shot just 3-of-13 from the floor overall, but managed to issue eight assists and grab four rebounds in 36 minutes of action.
The Hotshots crashed the boards for a massive 58-40 advantage.
Magnolia also held a 29-10 edge off Blackwater's 18 turnovers, while the league's top defensive team also enjoyed a 23-11 lead in fast break points.
Still, Victolero stressed the importance of playing consistently, especially since Magnolia will get a big test come this Sunday against Powerhouse San Miguel Beer.
"We need to have the mindset to compete," said the 2018 PBA Coach of the Year. "We are the target right now and most of the teams want to beat us. They are really preparing for us." Bey led Magnolia with 26 points and 22 rebounds to negate his six turnovers. Lee added 19 points, while Ian Sangalang, Barroca and Jalalon each added 10.
David and Ayonayon led Blackwater with 15 points apiece, while Rosario chipped in 14 and five boards.
The Bossing have lost their last six contests since opening PBA Season 48 with a 103-84 win against Converge.