Magnolia forces do-or-die game to enter 2019 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs

“Final: 106 – 77 in favor of the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok! Best Player: Jio Jalalon with 17 points, 6 assists and 5 steals #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

Both the Magnolia Hotshots and the Ginebra Kings now have to face a sudden death match for their entry into the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup semifinals after Team Magnolia fired back to Ginebra’s Game One win by dominating Game Two, 106-77, last Monday, April 8 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ian Sangalang was the highest pointer in Magnolia’s victory, providing 21 points and nine rebounds. Robert Herdon and Jio Jalalon also chipped double digits at 18 points and 17 points respectively, while Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Rome Dela Rosa provided 13 points, 13 points, and 11 points as well. For Ginebra, it was only Sol Mercado who was able to deliver at 13 points.

Magnolia Head Coach Chito Victolero said that his team learned of their shortcomings after losing the opener last Saturday, April 6, saying, “It was not Magnolia Hotshots basketball. We had a good bounce back. The most important thing is our mindset. We needed to go all-out in all possessions both offense and defense.” He also added in the post-game interview, “This is what exactly we had hoped for. A chance to compete. With the same level of effort and desire, I think we’ll have a chance.”

Greg Slaughter, who was the highest pointer for the Kings during the first game, did not shy away from expressing his disappointment of Ginebra’s 20 turnovers during the game, believing it is what caused them their loss. “You know, that first game we only had three in the first half, and I think that’s what let us get it off to a big lead. But you know, this game was obviously different,” the seven-footer big man reveals, “That just gives them the fast break. And it’s hard for us, for our team to defend turnovers.“ He concluded, “We just got to get more of our teammates involved.”

The decider for who enters the semifinals of this season between Magnolia and Ginebra will happen on Wednesday, April 10 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.