Here are the live scores, updates, and results of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup between the Alaska Aces and the Magnolia Hotshots, scheduled on July 21, 2021, at 6:00 PM.
Alaska smashes Blackwater Bossing in their first match of the 46th season of the PBA with a strong second half that leads to a massive 103-77 blowout win.
Mike DiGregorio, who shot 8-of-12 in the second half, led the lopsided second-half charge with 20 points and 5 rebounds. In this game, DiGregorio made four three-pointers.
Yousef Taha, a new Aces addition, chipped in with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. On the other hand, Abu Tratter had 13 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.
Aces’ opponent today also won their maiden match in the 2021 tourney as Calvin Abueva had a solid game against his former team Phoenix LPG Fuel Masters.
Magnolia won by a score of 80-73 thanks to Abueva’s 26 points. He made an instant impact for the Hotshots, shooting 8 of 14 from the field while also grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out three assists. Paul Lee scored 21 points in this match.
The last time these two teams met, Alaska nips Magnolia for a breakthrough win, rallying from an 11-point deficit to win.
The All-Filipino Cup will proceed to the quarterfinals in its customary format, with the top eight teams advancing. Against the eighth and seventh seeds, the top two seeds will have a twice-to-beat advantage. Meanwhile, in a best-of-three series, No. 3 will face No. 6, and No. 4 will face No. 5. Best-of-seven matches will be played in the semifinals and finals.
Unlike last season’s setup, the league will have a closed-circuit system for the Philippine Cup this time, with teams, league employees, and the media encouraged to keep a venue-home pattern to limit COVID-19 exposure.
The games will be held four times a week. The conference is also scheduled to go through the end of October.