Magnolia Hotshots secure outright quarterfinals berth with a thrashing of NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA Governors Cup 2023
The Magnolia Hotshots continued winning in the PBA Governors Cup 2023, defeating the NorthPort Batang Pier 129-109. This victory ensured them automatic passage to the tournament’s quarterfinals. After trailing by 10 points early in the game, the Hotshots went on a 40-point run to win. They outscored the Batang Pier 42-16 in the second quarter alone, finishing the first half with a 73-47 margin.
The Hotshots’ offense was well-balanced, with six players scoring at least 15 points apiece. Antonio Hester led the club with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Mark Barroca came off the bench to provide 21 points. Rome dela Rosa, Calvin Abueva, Paul Lee, and Aris Dionisio scored double figures. Magnolia coach Chito Victolero applauded his team’s tenacity and effort, particularly in the second quarter, when they played well.
Despite their win, the Hotshots are unlikely to finish in the top four of the tournament. They have two games remaining against Terrafirma and Blackwater, and a 7-4 record is the most they can hope for. TNT is 8-1 in the competition, followed by San Miguel Beer at 7-2, NLEX at 7-3, Barangay Ginebra at 5-2, and Converge at 6-3. In the quarterfinals, the top four teams in the competition will have a twice-to-beat advantage.
NorthPort, on the other side, has a 2-7 record in the competition. Kevin Murphy and Robert Bolick combined for 61 points, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Hotshots. NorthPort, along with Rain or Shine and Terrafirma, are on the verge of elimination with just three games remaining in the elimination phase.
Ultimately, the Magnolia Hotshots had a strong performance, proving too hot for the NorthPort Batang Pier. The game demonstrated their tenacity and capacity to recover from their earlier setback to the Meralco Bolts. They’ll want to maintain this momentum going into their next match against Terrafirma to keep their playoff aspirations alive.
