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| KJ Buffen delivered the early punch for Magnolia in his Manila Clasico debut before Zav Lucero finished the job. Peter Baltazar |
MANILA—Magnolia scored a much-needed 88-73 win against bitter rival Ginebra to keep in step in the PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
In the latest edition of the "Manila Clasico", the Hotshots turned to their defense to take down the up-and-down Gin Kings, holding them to less than 20 points in each of the last three quarters to pull away after a close first quarter.
Zav Lucero led Magnolia, which forced a three-way tie with Ginebra and Blackwater for third place in Group B at 2-3 halfway into the group stages, with 24 points on 10 of 16 field goals, 10 rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals.
KJ Buffen added 23 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Stephen Holt led the Gin Kings with 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting, including 5-for-7 on threes, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
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