MAGNOLIA endured a tough stand by a no-quit import-less NorthPort squad, avoiding blushes with a 105-94 win in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
It was a game that could go either way until the Hotshots broke loose in the closing minutes, repelling the Batang Pier for a 3-2 card in Group A through the first round of the elims.
"That's the minimum goal that we set - to go above .500. We're happy but not contented. We'll try to improve in the second round," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
Paul Lee, Zavier Lucero and Glenn Robinson III carried Magnolia through with clutch hits at the finish, overcoming the tough fight put up by NorthPort in the absence of injury-hit import Venky Jois and Wil Navarro.
"We've experienced it before (playing an all-Filipino side), sobrang hirap talaga because the other team would play hard. On the other side, it's a question of competition. We're kind of in the middle of that. At the half, we have to remind our players we have to play on both ends," said Victolero.
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"Mabuti, nag-grind out naman, and we pulled through," Victolero added.
Magnolia overcame NorthPort's stubborn crew and sent the Batang Pier down to 2-3.
Robinson collected 25 points and 11 rebounds, and delivered the dagger on a breakaway jam, making it 101-91 with time down to 1:26.
Lee and Lucero had their own double-double games with the former scattering 20 markers and 11 assists plus five rebounds and the latter logging 16 points and 12 boards.
Maverick Ahanmisi and Calvin Abueva were two other Hotshots who scored in double figures with 10 apiece.
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Leading NorthPort's battle was Cade Flores with a career-best game marked by 23 points and 16 rebounds.
Joshua Munzon, Damie Cuntapay, Arvin Tolentino and Fran Yu added at least 10 points each.(SB)
