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| Aris Dionisio's career game lifts Magnolia to the playoffs. PBA Images |
MANILA––Magnolia shut the door on NorthPort's last gasp for a quarterfinal spot in the PBA Governors' Cup with a 110-94 rout on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Even if they surprisingly did not field in Shabazz Muhammad due to left knee tendonitis, the Hotshots were still too much for the Batang Pier, who were already reeling from Venky Jois' season-ending Achilles injury, especially with Aris Dionisio coming alive.
The stretch forward put up a career-high 30 points with a franchise record nine triples alongside three rebounds and one steal as he led Magnolia's early barrage that sucked the life out of NorthPort.
Zav Lucero added 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and four blocks for the Hotshots, who are now tied with the Converge FiberXers for third place in Group A with a 5-4 record.
The winner of their showdown on Monday night back at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium will enter the quarterfinals as the third seed.
Arvin Tolentino put up 25 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal, and three blocks for NorthPort, which dropped to 3-6.
The Scores :
MAGNOLIA 110 – Dionisio 30, Lucero 16, Eriobu 13, Abueva 12, Sangalang 10, Lee 9, Dela Rosa 9, Barroca 7, Ahanmisi 4, Mendoza 0, Escoto 0, Balanza 0, Laput 0
NORTHPORT 94 – Tolentino 25, Cuntapay 13, Jalalon 11, Flores 8, Amores 8, Munzon 6, Navarro 6, Onwubere 6, Tratter 4, Bulanadi 4, Taha 2, Nelle 1, Yu 0
QUARTERS: 29-13, 57-35, 83-61, 110-94
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