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).
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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.
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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)
