IT SEEMS like the Magnolia Hotshots have learned their lesson.

Getting rid of old habit of starting a tournament slow, the Hotshots sustained their blistering start to the 49th PBA Philippine Cup as they crushed the lowly Terrafirma Dyip, 127-94, on Sunday night, May 4, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Pocketing their fifth win in as many games, the Hotshost remained as the only unbeaten team in the All-Filipino tournament.

The unbeaten start is a major turnaround for Magnolia, which started slow in the season’s first two conferences, including 1-4 start in the Commissioner’s Cup, where they barely made it past the eliminations.

Zav Lucero piled up 17 points and nine rebounds to lead the Hotshots, who dealt the Dyip their fourth defeat in five outings.

From a slim 27-25 lead after the first quarter, the Hotshots broke the game wide open behind a dizzying 27-2 run in the second period.

Magnolia ended the first half with a 65-37 lead and was still ahead by 28 points after three quarters of play, 91-63.

Louie Sangalang had a strong effort for the Dyip with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Stanley Pringle and Kevin Ferrer added 17 points apiece.

THE SCORES:

MAGNOLIA (127) - Lucero 17, Lee 13, Ahanmisi 11, Eriobu 11, Laput 9, Abueva 8, Lastimosa 8, Sangalang 8, Dela Rosa 8, Balanza 8, Barroca 7, Alfaro 6, Escoto 6, Reavis 4, Dionisio 3.

TERRAFIRMA (94) - Sangalang 19, Pringle 17, Ferrer 17, Olivario 8, Melecio 7, Ramos 7, Hernandez 6, Catapusan 6, Nonoy 4, Zaldivar 3, Hanapi 0.QUARTERSCORES: 27-25, 65-37, 91-63, 127-94.(CCM)

• Tags
• #Magnolia Hotshots
• #49th PBA Philippine Cup
• #Terrafirm Dyip
• #Zav Lucero