Magnolia dominates Converge as PBA celebrates 50th anniversary

Magnolia notched its second straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup after dominating Converge, 83-71, on Wednesday in the opening match of the league's 50th anniversary games at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum. After closing the third period with a 59-56 lead, the Hotshots surged in the final period and had its biggest lead, 78-66, with an Ian Sangalang layup at the 2:39 mark before cruising onto the victory. Sangalang had was a rebound shy of a double-double performance with 18 points and nine rebounds, along with four assists as he played against younger big men in Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar.

"Siguro para sa akin, the way the play, nirespeto ko lang sila kasi di na bata maglaro 'yung dalawang 'yun. Kailangan ko lang respetuhin sila kasi kung di mo nirespeto 'yung dalawang 'yun, kakainin ka nang buong-buo ng dalawang 'yun kasi nakikita n'yo naman paano maglaro sa past few games nila," Sangalang said. Zav Lucero had 18 points, five rebounds, and two assists.



Russel Escoto, meanwhile, added 11 points for the Hotshots. Arana and Baltazar, meanwhile, led the FiberXers with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists for the former, while rookie Baltazar had 11 points, 13 boards, two assists, and a block. Schonny Winston added 14 points to go with five boards, three assists, and two steals, while Kevin Racal and Alec Stockton added 11 points each.

Converge, meanwhile, slipped to 1-2 in the standings. Scores: Magnolia 83 – Sangalang 18, Lucero 18, Escoto 11, Dela Rosa 9, Abueva 8, Laput 4, Barroca 4, Alfaro 4, Lee 3, Lastimosa 2, Dionisio 2, Reavis 0, Eriobu 0. Converge 71 – Winston 14, Arana 14, Baltazar 11, Racal 11, Stockton 8, B.

Santos 4, Garcia 4, Corpuz 3, Delos Santos 2, Garcia 2, Ambohot 0, Nermal 0, Santos 0, Fleming 0, Caralipio 0. Quarters: 14-16, 36-33,59-56, 83-71. —JKC, GMA Integrated News.