PBA: Magnolia spoils Jeffrey Cariaso's victory party, whips Blackwater

Zav Lucero got the last laugh over Christian David. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Magnolia dampened Blackwater's mood three nights after Jeffrey Cariaso was named into the PBA's 50 Greatest Players with a 106-84 rout to begin its campaign in the season-ending Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Hotshots waxed hot early on, dropping 37 points on the Bossing to eventually open a 15-point lead.

Blackwater crawled back in the second quarter and kept the game close, but Magnolia pulled away in the second half to seal the win.

Zav Lucero led Magnolia with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, seven rebounds, and one assist, while Ian Sangalang added 15 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one block off the bench.

Christian David exploded for 31 points with five rebounds and two steals, while Sedrick Barefield contributed 24 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and two steals, but they were not enough to give Blackwater another reason for Cariaso to smile.

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