STREAKING Magnolia drubbed Blackwater 95-80 last night and will be the hottest team going into the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart 5G-powered AUF Sports Arena in Angeles City.
Ian Sangalang played in just a little over 16 minutes yet still tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Hotshots, who finished the eliminations with six straight wins for a 7-4 record in a tie with TNT, Alaska, Meralco and San Miguel Beer.
Fellow qualifiers Phoenix Super LPG and Rain or Shine met later in the evening to determine the quarterfinalists’ seeding behind No. 1 Ginebra.
KG Canaleta had 4 points to lead Blackwater, which absorbed its seventh straight loss and wound up 10th with a 2-9 slate overall.
Earlier, Meralco also advanced to the next round with some momentum after holding off short-handed NorthPort 80-73.
Bong Quinto had 14 points and led five Bolts who scored in double figures as they led by as much as 19 points before holding off the Batang Pier’s late rally.
NorthPort absorbed its sixth straight defeat and wound up with a 1-10 card.
Jervy Cruz had 15 points and paced the Batang Pier, who played minus Christian Standhardinger, who joined the injured Sean Anthony and Jonathan Grey on the sidelines.
