Games today:
(Ynares Center-Antipolo)
5:15 p.m. — Titan Ultra vs Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. — NLEX vs Meralco
(Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai)
10 p.m. — San Miguel vs Ginebra
Magnolia clawed back from an 11-point hole to prevail over Terrafirma, 104-93, and get back on the winning track in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
The Hotshots clamped down on defense in the fourth quarter, limiting the Dyip to just 17 points while pouring 29 for a 3-1 win-loss record and a share of the top spot with TNT.
Mark Barroca finished with 17 points on a perfect 8-of-8 field goal shooting and grabbed five rebounds to lead Magnolia’s rebound from a sorry two-point loss to Meralco last week.
“We have a must-win mentality. We needed to bounce back hard in this game, coming off a painful loss last game,” Barroca said.
“These are the games that we need to win because these games will help us advance to a favorable spot in the playoffs. So, we really need to get this win,” he added after Magnolia beat Terrafirma for the 22nd straight time since 2016.
Jerom Lastimosa had 16 points, Paul Lee had his best game of the season with 12 points, Ian Sangalang also had 12 points while Zav Lucero had a near double-double of 11 points and nine rebounds for the Hotshots.
Back-to-back triples from Raffy Verano to start the payoff period allowed Magnolia to wiggle out of a tight ballgame that saw the squad trail by just a point after three quarters.
Terrafirma, which took an early 20-9 advantage, dropped its second straight match for a 1-3 mark.
Paolo Hernandez and JM Bravo led the Dyip with 16 points each while Jerrick Ahanmisi had 11 in his first game against his former club.
Meanwhile, defending champion San Miguel Beer looks to carry the momentum of its first win when it clashes with Barangay Ginebra today at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tipoff time is set at 10 p.m. (Manila time).