MAGNOLIA demolished Blackwater, 91-69, to get back on the winning track in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

Looking supremely confident despite a 97-103 setback to Barangay Ginebra last Oct. 23, the Hotshots unleashed another balanced offensive attack to roll back the Bossing and clinch a league-best sixth win in seven matches and the top spot in the import-flavored conference.

Nicholas Rakocevic finished with a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds in nearly 34 minutes to lead the Hotshots’ bounce-back victory.

Ian Sangalang added 17 points and seven rebounds, Jerrick Ahanmisi contributed 14 points and Jio Jalalon had 13 points, nine assists and six rebounds for the Chito Victolero-mentored Hotshots,

“This is probably our best defensive game of the year. We got back to our identity of playing very good defense,” said Magnolia assistant coach Jason Webb, who took the place of Victolero during the post-game interview.

Renato Ular led Blackwater with 14 points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting in 20 minutes, while import Cameron Krutwig added eight points and a game-high 16 rebounds.

Notably absent for Blackwater was Troy Rosario.

Baser Amer also played for only one minute due to a calf strain.

Sharing the limelight with the Hotshots was Calvin Abueva, who earned another career achievement award for reaching 1 000 offensive rebounds.

The scores:

Magnolia (91) – Rakocevic 17, Sangalang 17, Ahanmisi 14, Jalalon 13, Barroca 9, Abueva 6, Wong 4, Zaldivar 4, Laput 4, Escoto 2, Dionisio 0, Corpuz 0, Mendoza 0.
Blackwater (69) – Ular 14, Jackson 10, McCarthy 9, Krutwig 8, Suerte 6, Ayonayon 5, Ebona 4, Sena 3, Banal 2, Publico 2, Melton 2, Taha 2, Go 2, Amer 0.
Quarterscores: 19-22, 44-37, 70-55, 91-69.

Games Wednesday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. — Phoenix vs. Converge
5:45 p.m. — NLEX vs/ NorthPort