Top seed Hotshots hold off Fuel Masters

Magnolia defended its top spot in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup as it silenced Phoenix Super LPG, 90-80, on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Six players ended up in double figures for the Hotshots, who provided import Nick Rakocevic much-needed support.

Rakocevic finished with 18 points but was scoreless in the fourth period.

Calvin Abueva stepped up, finishing a double-double performance of 15 points on top of 12 boards.

Jio Jalalon flirted with a triple-double performance, scoring 12 points, dishing out nine assists, and pulled down eight rebounds. Mark Barroca added 11 while Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang added 10 apiece.

Hotshots improved their win-loss record to 7-1.

After winning five games in a row, the Fuel Masters, once the hottest team in the tournament, had lost back-to-back games and dropped to 5-5.

The Scores:

MAGNOLIA 90 – Rakocevic 18, Abueva 15, Jalalon 12, Barroca 11, Lee 10, Sangalang 10, Dela Rosa 8, Wong 4, Dionisio 2, Corpuz 0, Ahanmisi 0

PHOENIX 80 – Anthony 17, Jazul 11, Mocon 10, Wesson 9, Tio 7, Manganti 5, Rios 5, Camacho 4, Perkins 4, Adamos 3, Garcia 3, Robles 2, Pascual 0, Serrano 0

QUARTERS: 27-18, 50-36, 76-66, 90-80