SPORTS
Advocates Philippines
Magnolia Hotshots secure Quarterfinals Spot
Photo credit: PBA
In a night of routs, the Magnolia Hotshots delivered their own masterpiece as they trounced the NorthPort Batang Pier, 129-109, to secure an automatic spot in the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals.
The Hotshots, who suffered a loss to the Meralco Bolts in their previous game, overcame an early 10-point deficit to dominate the Batang Pier with a 40-point turnaround. Magnolia's giant lead was as big as 30 points at 80-50, with several players contributing at least 15 points each.
Coach Chito Victolero shared that his team struggled with their shots early in the game but managed to recover and played good basketball from thereon. The Hotshots proved too hot to handle, particularly in the second quarter, outscoring their opponents 42-16 to take a 73-47 lead at halftime.
Magnolia's win propelled them to a 5-4 record, tying them with the Meralco Bolts. Although they may not make it to the Top 4, the Hotshots still have a chance to finish the eliminations at 7-4 with wins over Terrafirma and Blackwater.
The Top 4 teams in the standings will have a twice-to-beat advantage versus the next four in the quarterfinals. TNT leads the pack with an 8-1 record, followed by San Miguel Beer at 7-2, NLEX at 7-3, Barangay Ginebra at 5-2, and Converge at 6-3.
Meanwhile, the NorthPort Batang Pier, who had a combined 61-point output from Kevin Murphy and Robert Bolick, fell to 2-7, joining Rain or Shine and Terrafirma on the brink. Blackwater, at 1-9, has already been eliminated from the race.
The Hotshots, who suffered a loss to the Meralco Bolts in their previous game, overcame an early 10-point deficit to dominate the Batang Pier with a 40-point turnaround. Magnolia's giant lead was as big as 30 points at 80-50, with several players contributing at least 15 points each.
Coach Chito Victolero shared that his team struggled with their shots early in the game but managed to recover and played good basketball from thereon. The Hotshots proved too hot to handle, particularly in the second quarter, outscoring their opponents 42-16 to take a 73-47 lead at halftime.
Magnolia's win propelled them to a 5-4 record, tying them with the Meralco Bolts. Although they may not make it to the Top 4, the Hotshots still have a chance to finish the eliminations at 7-4 with wins over Terrafirma and Blackwater.
The Top 4 teams in the standings will have a twice-to-beat advantage versus the next four in the quarterfinals. TNT leads the pack with an 8-1 record, followed by San Miguel Beer at 7-2, NLEX at 7-3, Barangay Ginebra at 5-2, and Converge at 6-3.
Meanwhile, the NorthPort Batang Pier, who had a combined 61-point output from Kevin Murphy and Robert Bolick, fell to 2-7, joining Rain or Shine and Terrafirma on the brink. Blackwater, at 1-9, has already been eliminated from the race.
Mar 3, 2023
