Magnolia secures quarterfinal berth with 112-93 win over Ginebra
Zav Lucero scored 21 points as the Hotshots moved to 6-3 in Group B of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup.
Magnolia booked its place in the quarterfinals by beating Barangay Ginebra 112-93 at Smart Araneta Coliseum on October 11. The Hotshots recovered from an early deficit and led by as many as 28 points in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup encounter.
Zav Lucero finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, while import KJ Buffen contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Substitute Jerom Lastimosa added 16 points, seven assists and three rebounds, and Mark Barroca scored 15 points.
Ginebra opened with six unanswered points before Magnolia responded with a 16-3 surge that Buffen capped with a three-pointer. The Hotshots held a 34-19 advantage after the opening quarter, then Lucero and Lastimosa helped extend a 50-40 lead to 63-46 by half-time.
Jordan Murphy brought Ginebra within 12 points at 67-55 midway through the third quarter, but Magnolia halted the comeback. A three-pointer from Chris Koon pushed the score to 80-55. Ginebra coach Tim Cone later withdrew his starters and used his bench for the closing stages.
The result left Magnolia at 6-3 in Group B and Ginebra at 3-5. Murphy recorded 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists for the Gin Kings, while Abarrientos scored 12 points in 27 minutes.
