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| Stanley Pringle was solid in the Easter "Clasico". PBA Images |
QUEZON CITY—Before the All-Star break, Magnolia's Jio Jalalon and coach Chito Victolero said that being tagged by bashers as "intro boys" for not finishing strong after a solid start to their conference serves as a motivation to finally win it all.
However, in the PBA's return from the long intermission, the team, just playing its second game in the Philippine Cup, suffered an early defeat.
Barangay Ginebra gave the Hotshots an early reality check in the season-ending conference by taking them down, 87-77, in the Easter Sunday edition of the Manila Clasico at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ginebra prevailed in a low-scoring grind-out, holding Magnolia to just 16 points in the third quarter before showing offensive brilliance in the fourth by dropping 27.
Stanley Pringle led the Gin Kings, now 3-1 in the standings, with 17 points, six assists, and one steal, while Maverick Ahanmisi and Japeth Aguilar each added 16 markers.
Ian Sangalang put up 17 points, three rebounds, one assist, and two blocks, while Jio Jalalon added 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the Hotshots, whose loss leaves the San Miguel Beermen as the only undefeated team left in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Scores:
GINERBA 87 – Pringle 17, M. Ahanmisi 16, J.Aguilar 16, Malonzo 11, Standhardinger 11, Onwubere 8, Tenorio 5, Pinto 3, David 0
MAGNOLIA 77 – Sangalang 17, Jalalon 15, Lee 12, Barroca 11, Tratter 10, Abueva 4, Mendoza 3, Corpuz 3, Laput 2, Escoto 0, Ahanmisi 0, Reavis 0, Eriobu 0
QUARTERS: 17-18, 37-40, 60-56, 87-77
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