MAGNOLIA continued its winning ways in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup, beating Terrafirma, 105-83, and keeping the solo lead at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Six mainstays, led by Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca, finished in double figures for the Hotshots, who extended their winning streak to four games in the coronavirus-affected conference.

Sangalang shone brighest for Magnolia as he finished with 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting in less than 29 minutes.

Barroca added 16 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Calvin Abueva contributed 14 points and eight rebounds for the Hotshots, who led by as many as 27 points..

“It’s all about our defense. Iyon naman ang laging pinag-usapan namin.We don’t want to relax,”said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

Except for brief stretches in the opening period and in the final quarter, Magnolia did stay focused

The Hotshots even took a 103-76 spread behind rookie Jerrick Ahanmisi’s career-best 15 points, all in the fourth period.

Ahanmisi’s fourth and last triple also put the Hotshots ahead, 97-72.

Roosevelt Adams scattered a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds for Terrafirma, which suffered its third straight setback.

Juami Tiongson had 19 points and Aldrech Ramos had 10 for the Dyip of coach Johnedel Cardel.

In other games, Talk N Text celebrated its return after a two-week layoff with a 79-69 win over Rain or Shine; and Barangay Ginebra rode on Christian Standhardinger’s heroics to beat NorthPort, 87-85.

Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, and Glenn Khobuntin combined for 36 points to power the Tropang Giga to their second win.

The win came despite the unimpressive debut of Talk N Text’s top rookie, Mikey Williams.

Williams, the No. 4 overall pick, went 2-of-10 from the field to finish with only seven points

Talk N Text coach Chot Reyes said he is not expecting much in the first game of the 28-year-old Williams in his first game with the team after arriving in the country a few days before the start of the season.

The Tropang Giga showed no signs of rust despite coming off a 13-day layoff due to COVID-19 scare.

Talk N Text underwent isolation after four of its players either tested positive of the coronavirus or needed a retest for confirmation

Javee Mocon finished with with 22 points for Rain or Shine, which lost two in a row after a 3-0 start.

The scores

First game
Magnolia (105) — Sangalang 18, Barroca 16, Ahanmisi 15, Abueva 14, Corpuz 12, Jalalon 10, Lee 5, Dela Rosa 4, Brill 4, Dionisio 3, Pascual 2, De Leon 2, Reavis 0.
Terrafirma (83) — Adams 25, Tiongson 19, Ramos 10, Batiller 7, Camson 6, Munzon 5, Cahilig 4, McCarthy 5, Calvo 2, Celda 0, Laput 0.
Quarterscores: 33-25; 58-37; 71-61; 105-83.

Second game
Talk N Text (79) – Rosario 13, Pogoy 13, Khobuntin 10, Castro 9, M. Williams 7, Heruela 6, Alejandro 6, K. Williams 6, Montalbo 5, Erram 4, Marcelo 0.
Rain or Shine (69) – Mocon 22, Borboran 12, Johnson 7, Caracut 6, Norwood 6, Torres 5, Ponferada 5, Nambatac 4, Wong 2, Belga 0, Santillan 0.
Quarterscore: 22-19, 43-33, 64-52,79-69.

Games Saturday:

(Ynares Sports Arena-Pasig)
2 p.m. — Blackwater vs. Phoenix
4:35 p.m. — Meralco vs. Alaska