Hotshots join Kings at helm

MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia came out of a tough week unscathed in three games and virtually booked a berth in the playoffs of the PBA Governors Cup with an overpowering 113-95 win over Columbian Dyip at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Riding the momentum of a 92-76 rout of Rain or Shine then a 109-108 cliffhanger over San Miguel Beer, the Hotshots simply kept going and breezed past the Dyip for a fifth win against a lone defeat.

Romeo Travis piled up 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in a near triple-double job, and Mark Barroca, Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang added double-digit outputs as the Hotshots played without letup and without mercy for a dominant victory that carried them to joint lead with the Barangay Ginebra Kings at 5-1.

The Dyip remained without a win in seven outings under coach Johnedel Cardel.

Later in the night, Alaska Milk played with fresh legs coming from a month-long respite, wearing Rain or Shine down with a pressing and running game in a 106-89 victory that got the Aces into a tie for third with the Blackwater Elite at 4-1.

The scores: 

First Game

Magnolia 113 – Travis 32, Barroca 16, Lee 13, Sangalang 11, Herndon 8, Dela Rosa 7, Jalalon 6, Reavis 5, Mendoza 3, Melton 3, Simon 3, Gamalinda 2, Ramos 2, Brondial 2, Pascual 0, Abundo 0.

Columbian Dyip 95 – Corpuz 20, Wright 19, Reyes 15, King 12, McCarthy 12, Sara 7, Khobuntin 6, Escoto 2, Gabriel 2, Celda 0, Ababou 0, Tubid 0, Cabrera 0.

Quarterscores: 31-20, 60-46, 92-70, 113-95

Second Game

Alaska 106 – Harris 39, Banchero 16, Enciso 16, Manuel 16, Exciminiano 8, Teng 5, Baclao 4, Casio 2, Racal 0, Pascual 0, Andrada 0.

Rain or Shine 89 – Belga 20, Daquioag 11, Ahanmisi 11, Norwood 10, Watson 10, Nambatac 10, Yap 9, Washington 4, Tiu 2, Ponferada 2, Torres 0.

Quarterscores: 26-30, 47-49, 75-77, 106-89