Magnolia gets revenge on SMB from last conference after 36-point win

“Final: 118 – 82 in favor of the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok! Best Player: Jio Jalalon with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists #PBACommsCup #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

James Farr totalled with a double-double of 19 points and 18 rebounds, while Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon worked together to deliver as much as a 38-point lead in the fourth quarter, contributing 17 and 16 points respectively. After opening the conference with two losses, the Hotshots are not hot off a four-game winning streak.

On the other hand, the Beermen have fallen to a 2-4 win-loss standing after struggling with 35 three-point attempts, only converting four from beyond the arc. Charles Rhodes had a double-double at 20 points and 15 rebounds, joined by Christian Standhardinger who produced 16 points and 11 rebounds. Marcio Lassiter contributed 11, but big man June Mar Fajardo was limited to five. 

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero shared that their “motivation was good,” elaborating in a mix of English and Filipino, “Coming from a loss in a Game Seven final last conference, my challenge to my players is that whatever happens, the motivation is still there. At least in elimination, we’ll be able to redeem ourselves.” He added, “The extra effort, the energy—I can not ask for more. If there was a 101 percent performance, this was it. We did well on both ends. We hope we will be able to sustain this run.”

Magnolia will attempt to extend their winning streak to five on Saturday, June 29 as they face the Meralco Bolts at the MVA City Coliseum in Zamboanga, while the Beermen will attempt to bounce back from their loss as they face the Phoenix Pulse Fuelmasters on Friday, June 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.