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PBA: Meralco boosts playoff hopes with rout of Magnolia
Action between Magnolia and Meralco in their 2024 PBA Philippine Cup game, April 28, 2024 at the PhilSports Arena. PBA Images
MANILA — The Meralco Bolts put on a defensive clinic in a 74-51 demolition of the Magnolia Hotshots on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena, boosting their playoff hopes in the process.
The Bolts secured a second straight win in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup to hike their record to 5-5 with one game left in their elimination round schedule.
Meanwhile, the Hotshots lost for the second consecutive game and saw their record drop to 5-4 with two games to go.
“I think we played good defense; guys were on point. And then also, they’re lacking two players also,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo, who noted that the Hotshots were without Jiovani Jalalon and Calvin Abueva.
“But with that being said, we want to take credit. The players, all around, did their roles,” he added.
Magnolia struggled offensively all throughout the contest, and managed only seven points in the second period. As a team, they shot just 25% from the field including only one-of-19 from long distance. Not until Diego Dario knocked down a three-pointer with under 15 seconds to go did they break the 50-point barrier.
The Hotshots briefly trimmed the deficit to single digits in the third quarter, 39-30, off a Mark Barroca bucket but the Bolts responded with a 12-2 flurry to restore order.
The 51 points are a franchise-low for Magnolia.
Raymond Almazan earned Player of the Game honors with 12 points and 11 rebounds in just 24 minutes, while Chris Newsome had 12 points, eight boards, and seven dimes.
“We just put ourselves in a better situation now. I think from three to nine, it could be anybody there. We’re trying to get to the 3-6 for the best-of-3 [quarterfinals],” Trillo said.
Despite the win, there is still a major source of concern for Meralco as star guard Aaron Black had to be helped off the court early in the third quarter after an apparent injury to his right leg.
Black had three points on 1-of-6 shooting before exiting at the 10:09 mark of the period.
No Magnolia player scored in double-digits, with Ian Sangalang managing eight points and 10 boards in a 33-minute stint.
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