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| KJ Buffen led the way anew for Magnolia, this time in a win. Peter Baltazar |
MANILA—Magnolia finally got out of its early dry spell in the PBA Governors' Cup and took down Meralco 112-98 for its first win of the season-ending conference on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Hotshots quickly imposed their will by opening a 31-20 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Bolts, however, kept in step with a 35-point second quarter to cut the gap down to five, 60-55, at halftime.
The game remained tight for most of the third quarter, but Magnolia stifled Meralco in the fourth to pull away for good.
KJ Buffen showed that the Hotshots can move on from former import Antonio Hester as he led them with 26 points, going 4-for-5 from three-point range, 12 rebounds, and five assists.
Zav Lucero added 20 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Hester led the Bolts, who dropped to 2-2, with 28 points on 8-for-14 shooting, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
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