MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados rolled to its third straight win, posting a hard-earned 81-77 victory over Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Barroca led the Hotshots’ balanced scoring attack with 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Veterans Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva added 10 points each, and James Laput contributed nine points for the Magnolia, who improved their record to four wins and two losses.

Abueva also had 13 rebounds.

“Nabubuo na uli kami, at competitive na ang ensayo namin — bagay na nadadala namin sa laro,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

Victolero also expressed confidence the Hotshots will do well against the equally-hot Rain or Shine when they meet in an out-of-town game in Tiaong, Quezon on Saturday.

“(Rain or Shine) is the hottest team right now, and we have to be mentally and physically ready against them. Parehas naman naglaro tonight so parehas nang kondisyon. Magandang laban yon, at sana mapasaya namin ang taga Tiaong,” added Victolero in an interview posted on PBA website.

James Kwekuteye topscored for the Bossing with 23 points, four assists and three rebounds in 34 minutes while Troy Rosario added 20 points, six assists and four rebounds for coach Jeff Cariaso.

Rey Nambatac and Christian David contributed nine and seven points, respectively.

The Hotshots pulled ahead, establishing a 56-45 lead with a dominant 22-11 run in the third quarter. They further widened the gap to 17 points early in the fourth, maintaining their momentum and extending their winning streak.

The Hotshots now hold a 4-2 record.

The scores:

Magnolia (81) — Barroca 19, Sangalang 10, Abueva 10, Lee 10, Laput 9, Dionisio 7, Jalalon 7, Eriobu 4, Tratter 2, Mendoza 0, Balanza 0, Ahanmisi 0
Blackwater (77)– Kwekuteye 23, Rosario 20, Nambatac 9, Ilagan 7, David 7, Guinto 6, Hill 2, Jopia 2, Chua 1, Escoto 0, Suerte 0, Tungcab 0, Casio 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 34-34, 56-45, 81-77.

Games Friday:

(Philsports Arena)
4:30 p.m. — Converge vs. San Miguel
7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs. TNT