IT’S business as usual for Magnolia Pambansang Manok.

Two days after a heart-breaking 94-95 setback to Meralco, Magnolia came back with a vengeance and hammered out a 96-78 win over Blackwater Elite in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Veterans Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca shared scoring honors with 16 points apiece, while Calvin Abueva added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Hotshots raised their record to 5-1 going into the last five games in the elimination round.

More importantly, the win enabled Magnolia to keep its hopes of finishing in the upper half of the standings where the top two finishers would be rewarded with a twice-to-beat advantage over a lower-ranked team in the quarterfinals.

Magnolia coach Chito Victolero is now hoping the Hotshots will go all the way.

“I like our chances,” said Victolero. “At least, kontrolado namin kung saan namin gustong mapunta.”

Victolero said the unexpected loss to Meralco in a game where his team blew a 13-point lead in the final two minutes served as a wake-up call.

“Nagkaroon ng sense of urgency ang team. We don’t want that to happen again. We wanted to bounce back hard in this game.Very important ang game na ito para sa amin,” explained Victolero.

Magnolia established as many as 19-point lead and allowed Blackwater to come no closer than 77-87.

A three-point play by Sangalang and two free throws by Abueva put the game away, 92-77, with only 1:25 left.

Kelly Nabong finished with game-highs of 19 points and 14 rebounds and Mike Tolomia added 16 points for Blackwater, which went down to its sixth straight defeat.

A big disappointment was Simon Enciso, who was limited to only five points, 12 below his average, on 2-of-10 field shooting.

Magnolia had no such problem in scoring.

Paul Lee finished with 15 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, while rookie Jerrick Ahanmisi contributed 12 points.

Ahanmisi struck hardest in the third quarter as he helped the Hotshots open up a 70-57 lead from 44-41 advantage at halftime.

In other games, Talk N Text clobbered Meralco, 91-75, and Terrafirma toppled Barangay Ginebra, 95-90.

The scores:

First game
Magnolia (94) –Sangalang 16, Barroca 16, Lee 15, Abueva 14, Ahanmisi 12, Jalalon 7, Corpuz 6, Dela Rosa 4, Brill 2, Rwavis 2, Melrton 0, De Leon 0, Capobres 0, Pascual 0, Dionisio 0.
Blackwater (78) –Nabong 19, Tolomia 16, Amer 9, Daquioag 8, Paras 6, Canaleta 6, Cruz 6, Enciso 5, Escoto 2, Golla 1, Dennison 0, Magat 0, Torralba 0, Deisderio 0.
Quarterscores: 22-26, 44-41, 70-57, 94-78.

Second game
Terrafirma (95) – Tiongson 31, Camson 15, Ramos 11, McCarthy 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 7, Cahilig 5, Gabayni 5, Celda 5, Laput 2, Calvo 2, Batiller 2.
Ginebra (90) – Standhardinger 17, Aguilar 16, Tenorio 14, Thompson 12, Pringle 11, Caperal 11, Ayaay 5, Salado 2, Mariano 2, Dillinger 0, Tolentino 0, Enriquez 0.
Quarterscores: 22-23, 51-46, 78-65, 95-90.

Third game
Talk N Text (91) – Williams 27, Pogoy 20, Castro 14, Erram 9, Khobuntin 8, Heruela 5, Rosario 4, K. Williams 4, Exciminiano 0, Reyes 0, Montalbo 0, Alejandro 0, Marcelo 0, Javier 0, Mendoza 0.
Meralco (76) — Pinto 16, Hugnatan 14, Black 8, Hodge 8, Belo 6, Quinto 6, Newsome 5, Caram 4, Maliksi 3m Alamazan 2, Pasaol 2, Jamito 2, Jacksn 0, Jose 0, Baclao 0.
Quarterscores: 22-13, 54-26, 74-59, 91-76