MAGNOLIA got the biggest lift from an unlikely source to beat Terrafirma, 106-92, Wednesday and complete an 11-game sweep of the PBA On Tour at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
James Laput had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, but it was Joseph Eriobu who shone the brightest by scoring all 15 of his points in the second half that powered the Hotshots from a tight contest and into the runaway win in the preseason series presented by Arena Plus and sponsored by Bingo Plus.
For Eriobu, who has mostly spent the last three years in 3x3 competitions after being dropped by Blackwater, it's all about trying to make the most of the chance being given him by Magnolia coach Chito Victolero of finally making it back to the 5x5.
"Sobrang halaga ng ibinibigay ni coach Chito na opportunity," said the 31-year-old Fil-Nigerian.
"Kasi under observation ako ngayon so ang iniisip ko lang, kagaya kanina, pag ipasok ako kailangan may magawa ako sa court, 'yung mga intangibles. Iyun palagi ang ni-re-remind sa amin, 'yung itangibles and hustle sa depensa."
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Eriobu added he has totally bought into the mind-set that Victolero is trying to instill in the team. "Ang sabi ni coach, small battles kailangan naming manalo... para sa darating na season madala namin ito, 'yung mga tamang ginagawa namin dito sa PBA On Tour," he related.
The loss foiled Terrafirma's own bid to end the pre-season tournament on a bright note, instead finishing with a 4-7 slate.
Javi Gomez de Liano and JP Calvo each scored 14 points to lead the Dyip after top gunner Juami Tiongson got limited to just 12 points on a 3-of-13 field shooting.
Eric Camson added 13 points with nine of those coming after Magnolia had erected an insurmountable 92-79 lead.
No little thanks to Eriobu, whose three-pointer pushed the Hotshots ahead at 72-69 before adding seven more points while mainly hooking up with Aris Dionisio and Mark Barroca in extending the difference to 13 points.
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Laput then chiefly took charge as the lead bulged to as much as 106-89.
Barroca wound up with 12 points and Dionisio 10, Jio Jalalon scored only three points but issued a tournament-high 12 assists with 10 of those coming in the first half that ended with Magnolia holding on to a 48-42 advantage. (NC)
