Magnolia has last laugh after ‘Clasico’ rout

The first installment of the famed “Manila Clasico” in this tournament turned out to be a laugher.

But it was something Magnolia would gladly take as the team kept its playoff hopes alive with an emphatic 88-73 victory over fierce rival Barangay Ginebra on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The win lifted the Hotshots into a three-way tie for third to fifth places in Group B at 2-3 alongside the Gin Kings and idle Blackwater, strengthening their position in the tightly contested bracket.

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“We needed it, especially against Ginebra,” said Zavier Lucero, who finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds. “But we need these next ones because every game counts now.”

Lucero set the tone early as Magnolia seized control against its sister team under San Miguel Corporation. Import KJ Buffen added 23 points, while Ian Sangalang chipped in 16.

The Hotshots bounced back after a heartbreaking 98-97 loss to Rain or Shine two nights earlier, a defeat that followed an uneven start to the conference. Magnolia opened with back-to-back losses to Phoenix and Blackwater before earning its first win against Meralco.

“We didn’t have a choice,” Lucero said. “We lost that one against Rain or Shine, and not in a good way. We needed this one, and we put ourselves in this position.”

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The loss dropped Ginebra to 2-3, highlighting an inconsistent campaign in which the Gin Kings have alternated dominant wins with lopsided defeats.

“We’re definitely disappointed with our effort in the second half and with our execution,” said Ginebra guard Stephen Holt, who scored 17 points. “These losses are tough, especially considering our standings. We just have to regroup and have a great week of practice.”

The PBA resumes on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, with unben NLEx (5-0) taking on streaking TNT (3-2) in a marquee clash of sister teams at 7:30 p.m.

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The opener at 5:15 p.m. features Group A cellar dwellers Macau (2-4) and Titan Ultra (1-5). Macau defeated Titan Ultra, 132-126, when they first met on July 26 in Antipolo and has since added another win over Terrafirma Dyip. INQ