CAGAYAN DE ORO - A proud son of this city made a show in front of his kababayans and led Magnolia Pambansang Manok to a breakthrough win in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Jio Jalalon fired away 19 points, including three three-pointers in the payoff quarter, as the Hotshots repulsed the Meralco Bolts, 92-86, in a Petron Blaze Saturday Special at the Xavier U Gym here.
The two teams were engaged in a toe-to-toe battle before Jalalon took over the game and energized the Hotshots on the way to a first win since their Governors Cup title conquest.
Paul Lee and Mark Barroca, members of the Gilas pool that salvaged a FIBA World Cup berth for the country, had their significant help as Magnolia checked a fumbling 0-3 start in the all-Filipino tourney.
Lee came up with 15 points and six rebounds while Barroca contributed 11 markers four assists and two boards both on solid off-the-bench efforts.
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Ian Sangalang had his own sterling job with 12 points that went with 16 rebounds against five turnovers.
But Jalalon, a product of the nearby Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School, stood out with his crucial 13-point explosion in the final quarter.
From a 78-82 count, the pint-sized scored eight points in a crucial 11-to-nothing tear, and the Hotshots surged ahead to stay.
Jalalon also put in nine rebounds, four assists and one steal to lead the Hotshots to a first win after dropping their first three starts in the all-Filipino tourney.
Meanwhile, the Bolts went down with a fifth loss against two wins as they faded away from a tight battle in the closing minutes.
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Falling behind by three at 86-89 with 2:11 left to play, the Bolts failed to recover, missing all their last six field-goal attempts.
Meralco was actually limited to two field-goal made in the last seven minutes.(SB)
The scores:
MAGNOLIA 92 - Jalalon 19, Lee 15, Sangalang 12, Barroca 11, Melton 7, Dela Rosa 7, Simon 6, Ramos 6, Brondial 5, Reavis 2, Herndon 2.
MERALCO 86 - Newsome 22, Amer 18, Hodge 13, De Ocampo 9, Canaleta 8, Pinto 6, Hugnatan 5, Tolomia 2, Salva 2, Caram 1, Quinto 0, Jamito 0.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 46-44, 70-73, 92-86.
