Hotshots find their breakthrough, cool off Bolts with dominant fourth quarter

Tiger Scores365

After two frustrating defeats to begin the conference, Magnolia finally found the performance it had been searching for.

The Hotshots pulled away in the final period to defeat Meralco, 112-98, on Friday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, earning their first victory of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup while handing the Bolts their first loss after a two-game winning streak.

Meralco looked poised to make it another tense finish when Aaron Black's floater cut the deficit to just 88-86 with 8:53 left in the fourth quarter.

Magnolia had the perfect response.

Zavier Lucero attacked the basket for a layup, Rome Dela Rosa followed with a baseline jumper, and Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca added key baskets as the Hotshots unleashed an 11-4 run to restore breathing room.

Any hopes of a Meralco comeback disappeared moments later when Magnolia strung together another 7-0 burst, highlighted by Dela Rosa's three-pointer that pushed the lead to 105-92 and all but sealed the victory.

"I hope ito 'yung hinihintay naming momentum," said head coach LA Tenorio after his squad finally broke into the win column.

Import KJ Buffen once again anchored Magnolia with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, but this time he had plenty of help.

Lucero turned in another all-around effort with 20 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Sangalang came off the bench to score 16 points, while Barroca added 14 and rookie Jerom Lastimosa contributed 13 as the Hotshots' local core stepped up.

For Tenorio, that balanced attack was the biggest difference.

"The locals should really produce also. I'm not saying through points, just the support of the locals, napakalaking bagay na sa import. So the import doesn't have to score 50 or 60 points just to win the game," he said.

"Siyempre magagaling din mag-scout na 'yung mga teams ngayon eh, so we really have to work together, to help our import especially the locals."

Meralco leaned on Antonio Hester, who finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds against his former club, but the Bolts couldn't generate enough support offensively. CJ Cansino scored 12 points, while Bong Quinto and Aaron Black added 11 and 10, respectively.

The victory gives Magnolia fresh momentum heading into tough matchups against Rain or Shine on July 31 and Barangay Ginebra on Aug. 2.

Meralco, meanwhile, will try to bounce back when it takes on Ginebra on July 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena.