1 week Ago By SunStar Cebu
ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Magnolia Hotshots built a defensive wall against Phoenix and unleashed a ferocious inside-outside attack to clobber the Fuel Masters, 118-99, on Saturday night, April 26, 2025, at the Zamboanga City Coliseum. The win improved Magnolia’s record to 4-0, keeping the Hotshots firmly atop the PBA Philippine Cup leaderboard. Hometown ace Mark Barroca put on a show before his kababayans, scoring 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the 19-point romp that kept the Hotshots spotless and alone at the summit ahead of idle San Miguel Beer (3-1).
Barroca’s homecoming and post-birthday party was complemented by the strong performances of Ian Sangalang, who anchored Magnolia’s inside game and punched in a team-high 20, and Paul Lee, who accounted for three of the team’s 13 three-pointers in a 17-point outing. Zav Lucero, scoring from both the interior and the perimeter, matched Lee’s 17 and added 11 rebounds. The big win and Player of the Game honors served as a perfect gift for Barroca, who turned 39 on the eve of his homecoming game.
Barroca and Co. extricated from a tight contest with a game-changing 20-5 blast in the second quarter. Sparked by a three-pointer and a four-ball from Jerrick Ahanmisi, as well as a pair of treys from Lee, the troops of Chito Victolero surged to a 65-48 lead.
They eventually stretched the margin to 28 points at 107-79 before the Fuel Masters trimmed it to the final tally. Magnolia spoiled the 25-point, 15-rebound showing of Kai Ballungay for Phoenix, which fell to 1-3. Zamboangueño RR Garcia also shone for the Fuel Masters with 22 points, spiked by a 3-of-3 shooting from the three-point arc.
The Scores: Magnolia 118 - Sangalang 20, Barroca 18, Lucero 17, Lee 17, Laput 10, Dela Rosa 8, Ahanmisi 7, Alfaro 6, Abueva 6, Escoto 5, Lastimosa 4, Dionisio 0, Balanza 0. Phoenix 99 - Ballungay 25, Garcia 22, Perkins 17, Tio 8, Soyud 6, Tuffin 5, Rivero 4, Manganti 4, Camacho 4, Jazul 4, Daves 0, Ular 0, Verano 0. Quarters: 35-27, 67-53, 94-74, 118-99.
/ PBA.PH.
