The Magnolia Hotshots made it two wins in as many games as they overcame the Converge FiberXers, 83-71, in a thrilling PBA Philippine Cup matchup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday, April 9. The game was closely contested until the fourth quarter, where Ian Sangalang and Zavier Lucero powered Magnolia to a dominant finish, leading their team to victory.

Key Performances: Sangalang and Lucero Shine

Sangalang and Lucero each scored 18 points and grabbed a combined 14 rebounds, playing pivotal roles in the fourth-quarter surge that helped Magnolia pull away from Converge. The win gave Magnolia a perfect 2-0 start, marking their best start in the Philippine Cup since the 2021 conference.

“It’s a good challenge to face younger players like them,” said Sangalang, who proved a handful for Converge’s frontcourt. “If you don’t respect them, they’ll take advantage. I just treated it as another test for myself.”

Team Play Drives Magnolia’s Victory

The victory came after a dominant 104-86 win over Blackwater, and coach Chito Victolero emphasized the importance of maintaining a fresh lineup. Despite using 13 players in this game, Victolero reiterated the team’s commitment to giving key players, like Mark Barroca and Paul Lee, time to recover for crucial moments.

“We want to have fresh legs every time,” said Victolero. “It’s about good execution down the stretch, and our veterans must stay fresh.”

Strong Contributions from Others

While Sangalang and Lucero were instrumental, other players also stepped up. Russel Escoto contributed 11 points, while Rome Dela Rosa provided a crucial seven of his nine points in the final period to help secure the victory. The Hotshots extended their lead from 65-60 to a commanding 78-66 as the game reached its climax.

Converge’s Struggles and Magnolia’s Rise

On the other hand, Converge fought hard, led by Arana, who registered a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Despite the strong efforts from Arana and Baltazar, who had an 11-13 stat line, Converge fell to a 1-2 record in the tournament.

Victolero praised the team’s overall performance and credited the entire roster for contributing to the win, saying, “Credit to all the players because they embraced whatever we were doing today.”