TWO wins in a row for the Magnolia Chicken Timplados.

On a special night full of memories and nostalgia, Magnolia brought down Converge FiberX, 83-71 in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.

The duo of Ian Sangalang and Zav Lucero provided the 1-2 punch to lead the Hotshots of coach Chito Victolero to their second straight win before an overflow crowd that came to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

Sangalang finished with 18 points on a remarkable 9-of-13 shooting from the field, nine rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes of action.

Lucero added 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks while Russel Escoto contributed 11 points and two rebounds.

Rome Dela Rosa and Calvin Abueva also stepped uo in a big way as they chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.

Justin Arana and Schonny Winston led the losing effort with 14 points each for coach Phoenix coach Franco Atienza.

Arana went 6-of-11 shooting, 14 rebounds and three assists in almost 26 minutes of action while Winston added five rebounds, three assists and two steals as the Fuel Masters dropped to 1-2 in tean standings.

Justine Baltazar contributed with a double-double performance of 11 points and 14 rebounds while Kevin Racal also added 11 markers and three boards.

Alec Stockton managed only eight points on 3-of-13 shooting.

Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas ended up being grouped with New Zealand and Chinese Taipei for the tournament’s main draw slated this August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The formal drawing of lots was held on Tuesday at the Saudi Arabian port city.

The scores:

Magnolia (83) — Sangalang 18, Lucero 18, Escoto 11, Dela Rosa 9, Abueva 8, Laput 4, Barroca 4, Alfaro 4, Lee 3, Lastimosa 2, Dionisio 2, Reavis 0, Eriobu 0
Converge (71) — Winston 14, Arana 14, Baltazar 11, Racal 11, Stockton 8, B.Santos 4, Garcia 4, Corpuz 3, Delos Santos 2, Garcia 2, Ambohot 0, Nermal 0, Santos 0, Fleming 0, Caralipio 0.
Quarterscores: 14-16, 36-33,59-56, 83-71.

Games Saturday:

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5:30 p.m– Northport vs. Terrafirma
7:30 p.m.– Rain or Shine vs. NLEX

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya