Hotshots fans, this one's for you. Gin Kings fans, maybe look away.
Magnolia beat Barangay Ginebra 112-93 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum over the weekend. With the win, the Hotshots became the first Group B team to book a quarterfinal spot in the PBA Governors' Cup.
From 1-3 to five straight
Remember when Magnolia started the conference 1-3? Not anymore. The Hotshots have now won five in a row and are 6-3. And that winning streak started with, you guessed it, their first win over Ginebra, 88-73 back on August 2. So that's a Manila Clasico season sweep.
Who did the damage
Zavier Lucero: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals
Jerom Lastimosa: 16 points
Mark Barroca: 15 points, 4 assists
KJ Buffen (import): 14 points, 10 rebounds
For Ginebra, new import Jordan Murphy had 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, and RJ Abarrientos added 12. Just two nights earlier, Ginebra blew out Rain or Shine 129-111, with Abarrientos dropping 34 and Murphy posting 30 points and 13 rebounds in his debut. So this was a big swing.
Coach LA's game plan
Magnolia coach LA Tenorio said the focus was on Ginebra's execution: "When we play against Ginebra, we really have to pay attention to their execution. They're very disciplined."
He even admitted the Gin Kings looked "scary to watch" in their Rain or Shine win.
What's next
Magnolia: faces second-placed Rain or Shine (4-3) on October 21.
Ginebra: 3-5 and in fifth place, outside the top four behind Blackwater (3-4), so it's must-win mode from here.
The crossover quarterfinals start later this month. Will Ginebra make it in?
