Magnolia nips Ginebra in one-sided Manila Clasico match

Sports

WHAT was expected to be a down-to-the-wire Manila Clasico encounter turned into a one-sided match as the Magnolia Hotshots manhandled the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 88-73, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Sunday night, Aug. 2, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Dealt with a heartbreaking 97-98 loss by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Friday, July 31, Magnolia was all business in the 48-minute duel, cruising to the double-digit win that hiked its record to 2-3 (win-loss).

Ginebra also now totes a 2-3 slate.

Zavier Lucero tallied 24 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists to lead Magnolia. Lucero scored 22 of his total output in the first half that allowed the Hotshots to build a 53-43 lead at the half.

Magnolia would lead by as many as 20 in the final half as Hotshots head coach LA Tenorio improved to 2-1 against his former team.

KJ Buffen backed Lucero with 23 points while Ian Sangalang tossed in 16 markers.

Stephen Holt topped the Kings with 17 but import Lewis Grigsby tallied just 15 markers as Ginebra was limited to lowest output in the conference.

THE SCORES:

MAGNOLIA (88) - Lucero 24, Buffen 23, Sangalang 16, Lastimosa 5, Koon 5, Alfaro 4, Barroca 4, Andrada 3, Dela Rosa 2, Gomez de Liaño 2, Jopia 0, Lee 0.

GINEBRA (73) - Holt 17, Grigsby 15, Rosario 9, J. Aguilar 7, Abarrientos 6, Abis 6, Cu 5, Gray 4, Pinto 4, Go 0

QUARTERSCORES: 25-24, 53-43, 75-57, 88-73.(CCM)