The streak continues for the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok as they dismantled the Meralco Bolts in Zamboanga City, 99-88.
Hometown hero Mark Andy Barroca didn’t failed his fans in Ciudad Latina de Asia as he put up a show inside the MVA City Coliseum.
Barroca was one of the players who ignited the early of Magnolia particularly in the opening quarter where they outscored Meralco, 32-15.
The Hotshots lead has ballooned to 21 points when Paul Lee, James Farr and Ian Sangalang joined the scoring party.
Marc Pingris who played for the third time after he returned from an ACL injury made his first basket in this out-of-town game.
This time around, Pingris was given a much longer playing time and he delivered 4 points and 8 rebounds within 19 minutes of basketball action.
Yet, that 21-point advantage of coach Chito Victolero was almost erased when Meralco made their own version of scoring spree in the third quarter.
Meralco were able to trim down the deficit to just four points, 57-61 in the 4:16 mark of the third period.
Coach Victolero made an adjustment to his lineup as he re-inserted Paul Lee. That’s to stop their scoring silence.
Lee didn’t failed his coach as he sank another three-pointer that play also deflated the comeback attempt of their opponent.
Magnolia now improved to 5-2 record and currently at the third spot of the standings while Meralco dropped to 3-6 slate.
Basketball Is Simple For Barroca
Magnolia vs Meralco Box Score
Hotshots (99) – Sangalang 22, Barroca 21, Farr 19, Lee 18, Jalalon 9, Melton 6, Simon 5, Pingris 4, Dela Rosa 3, Herndon 3
Bolts (88) – James 35, Newsome 10, Tolomia 8, Almazan 7, Faundo 6, Hodge 6, Jackson 5, Quinto 3, Canaleta 2, Salva 2, Caram 2, Amer 2