THE Magnolia Hotshots went 2-0 with new import Antonio Hester, imposing themselves against the beat-up Barangay Ginebra side and scoring a 118-88 triumph in the PBA Governors' Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Sunday.
Up against rivals playing a fourth game in eight days, the Hotshots took advantage of the situation, storming to a 59-37 lead at the half and refusing to slow down to beat the Kings in their Clasico pre-Valentines showdown.
Magnolia pricked Ginebra's bubble and handed the Gin Kings their first loss in four starts in the season-ending tourney.
It was a near wire-to-wire blowout that had the Hotshots catching up with the Terrafirma Dyip at seventh place at 2-3.
The Kings, meanwhile, dropped from the top all the way down to fifth place, now trailing joint leaders Converge (5-1), TNT (5-1) and San Miguel Beer (5-1) and solo fourth-running NLEX (4-1).
Sponsored content: Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said it was about battling and competing.
"Sabi namin let's enjoy the defensive battle and made it sure na i-surpass namin ang effort ng Ginebra para lang magka-chance kami against a very tough team," said Victolero.
Hester was just too willing to do that, sustaining a superb effort from his solid debut in their 108-95 disposal of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters Wednesday.
"It's just being me, being Antonio Hester," said the well-built Magnolia import sub who came through with a near triple-double showing with 28 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists.
Mark Barroca, Calvin Abueva and Paul Lee were solid backups, with each one scoring at least 18 points apiece.
Sponsored content: Barroca scored 21 points off the bench.
"Dahan-dahan nakukuha ko na (the rhythm). First two games di ako aggressive, nag-usap kami ni coach, at nakatulong ang adjustment," he said.
The Hotshots turned what was expected to be a battle into a one-sided affair early with a high 51-percent clip as against Ginebra's 37 percent in the first half.
Lee and the other Magnolia gunners sizzled with an 8-of-19 three-pointers to highlight their early breakaway.
Ginebra, on the other hand, threw bricks, including Justin Brownlee who bled for just six markers in the first two quarters. He was 0-of-4 from the field.(SB)
