Magnolia rolls past Converge in rousing debut

Magnolia cruised past winless Converge in a lopsided 106-75 debut victory in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

After trailing 0-4 to start the game, the Hotshots stepped on the gas pedal and never lifted their foot off it for the clinical dismantling of the FiberXers.

Ian Sangalang led three other Magnolia players in double figures, scoring 17 points in 7-of-10 field goal shooting.

Jio Jalalon showcased his wares on offense and defense bringing in 14 markers, seven assists, three rebounds and five steals, Calvin Abueva came two rebounds shy of a double-double after logging in 14 points while Mark Barroca chipped in 12 points and five steals for the Hotshots.

Magnolia led by as many as 33 points multiple times in the final canto with its first at 98-65 following a layup by Abu Tratter with 5:59 left.

Head coach Chito Victolero praised his players for not letting up and sustaining their hold of the momentum in their first game since a runner-up finish in the Commissioner's Cup.

"Credit to the players. I'm proud of them because even though we came off the break, their mindset and acceptance in this game is great," he said.

"We talk about respect from the start of our preparation against Converge. With the right approach and right mindset, I think they did everything."

Victory remained elusive for the FiberXers in their fifth outing of the conference.

Justine Arana had 17 points and six rebounds, Alec Stockton fired 15 while Bryan Santos got 13 in a lost cause.

Box scores:

MAGNOLIA (106) — Sangalang 17, Jalalon 14, Abueva 14, Barroca 12, Dela Rosa 8, Tartter 8, Lee 7, Laput 6, Ahanmisi 5, Escoto 4, Eriobu 3, Dionisio 2, Corpuz 2, Mendoza 0

CONVERGE (75) –– Arana 17, Stockton 15, Santos 13, Caralipio 8, Winston 8, Delos Santos 6, Maagdenberg 3, Fornilos 2, Nieto 2, Balanza 1, Fleming 0, Andrade 0, Melecio 0, Ambohot 0, Zaldivar 0

Quarters: 24-20, 53-39, 79-59, 106-75