THERE'S still no stopping the red-hot Magnolia Hotshots hitting the halfway mark of their PBA Commissioner's Cup elims journey.
Starting strong and finishing stronger as they're always reminded by their coach, the Hotshots chalked up a sixth win in as many games with a 105-84 blasting of the Blackwater Bossing Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Bossing actually engaged the Hotshots in a battle through the first three periods, staring only at a five-point deficit at the start of the last quarter.
But coach Jeff Cariaso's crew found no answer as the Hotshots shifted into high gear and kept a foot on the gas in a massive 35-19 closing tear.
Blasting away from a close game, coach Chito Victolero's troops pounded out another big victory and made the Bossing the latest victim in their perfect run dating back to the preseason On Tour series.
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Tyler Bey sparked their fourth-quarter breakaway and finished with another hulking double-double outing with 26 points and 22 rebounds, going with three assists, one steal and one block against six turnovers.
And as in their previous wins, the needed local support was there.
Paul Lee top scored for the locals with 19 points with Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca chipping in 10 apiece.
And it were not just the regular Magnolia contributors, including big men James Laput and Abu Tratter.
Joseph Eriobu has his moment in their fourth-quarter salvo and wound up with nine markers, five rebounds and one assist.
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Early fouls stymied Blackwater's game and eventually sent the team to a fifth straight setback.
Limited to 36 minutes of action due to fouls, Chris Ortiz could put in no more than eight points and eight rebounds.
And the Bossing just couldn't keep up with the Hotshots even as five locals produced double-digit outputs.
Christian David and Mike Ayonayon led the team with 15 points apiece.(SB)
The scores:
Magnolia 105 - Bey 26, Lee 19, Jalalon 10, Sangalang 10, Barroca 10, Eriobu 9, Laput 5, Tratter 5, Dela Rosa 3, Mendoza 3, Escoto 3, Reavis 2, Ahanmisi 0, Murrell 0, Dionisio 0.
Blackwater 84 - David 15, Ayonayon 15, Rosario 14, Suerte 13, Ilagan 13, Ortiz 8, Guinto 3, Amer 2, escoto 1, Ular 0, Hill 0.
Quarters: 27-23, 52-47, 70-65, 105-84
