The Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok showcased their championship form as they dismantled the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters, 97-81.
Ian Sangalang led the locals of Magnolia as he dropped 17 points and five rebounds. He was later named as the Best Player of the Game.
Hotshots import Romeo Travis delivered 20 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists while Paul Lee had 15 points and was perfect from the free-throw line with 8-of-8.
In his first game as a Hotshots, coach Chito Victolero immediately utilized their team’s newest acquisition.
Chris Banchero logged 22 minutes and scored 10 points, five rebounds and three assists in his Magnolia debut.
The Hotshots better ball movement helped them to make two wins in a row. The entire squad registered 26 assists where most of the beneficiaries were the players positioning inside the paint.
Alonzo Gee paced Phoenix with his 24 points and 13 rebounds performance while Matthew Wright added 19 points.
With the victory, Magnolia takes the sixth spot in the standings while Phoenix got buried deeper with their 2-7 record.
Chris Banchero First Two As A Member Of The Hotshots
Magnolia vs Phoenix Box Score
Hotshots (97) – Reavis 1, Jalalon 9, Barroca 7, Dela Rosa 8, Travis 20, Melton 6, Lee 15, Sangalang 17, Pingris 4, Banchero 10
Fuel Masters (81) – Perkins 8, Mallari 13, Chua 2, Gee 24, Wright 19, Marcelo 1, Garcia 3, Jazul 4, Napoles 7