By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok swung to the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup title on Wednesday, defeating the Alaska Aces, 102-86, in Game Six of their best-of-seven finals series at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City and be crowned champions anew after four years.
Last won a PBA title in 2014 in the same conference but playing under the San Mig Coffee name, the Hotshots trumpeted their return to the top of the PBA with a convincing victory in the title clincher to clinch the series, 4-2.
Magnolia started hot, outscoring Alaska, 12-0, in the first three minutes of the opening quarter, led by import Romeo Travis and Ian Sangalang.
It would set the tone for the team for the rest of the period as it booked a 32-18 advantage at the end of the first 12 minutes.
In the second quarter, the Aces came out on better footing, encroaching on the Hotshots’ lead and trimming it down to seven points, 42-35, with 6:20 left in the frame as import Mike Harris started to make his presence felt on offense.
But that was the closest Alaska would come at that point as Magnolia answered with a 10-2 run in the next three minutes to establish a 15-point lead, 52-37.
The Hotshots eventually settled with an even bigger lead of 18 points, 60-42, heading into the halftime break.
At the start of the third period, the Aces tried to make up for lost ground but the Hotshots would not allow them to make much headway.
The count was at 70-55, and Magnolia on top, with 6:15 left in the quarter before the Hotshots stretched their distance a bit to 17 points, 80-63, entering the payoff quarter.
Having momentum entering the final canto, Magnolia went for the early closeout.
But the Aces still showed no let-up in trying to come back, managing to trim their deficit to 10 points, 94-84, with a minute and a half left in the contest.
After that though, it was all Hotshots as they sped to the championship.
Mr. Travis led Magnolia in the clincher with 32 points, 17 rebounds and six assists.
Paul Lee and Mr. Sangalang each had 16 points while Mark Barroca, who was adjudged Finals MVP, added 13 markers.
Jio Jalalon was the other Magnolia player in double digits in scoring with 11 points.
For Alaska it was Mr. Harris who showed the way with 26 points and 24 rebounds while Mr. Banchero finished with 20 points and Jeron Teng 14 points.
“It’s a wonderful feeling. So this is how it feels to win a championship. Thanks to God for making this possible and to the entire Magnolia team for working hard to get this championship,” a jubilant Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said after their victory.
The championship was the first for Mr. Victolero in the PBA.
For Mr. Travis, it was a vindication after being swept in his first finals stint in 2015 while playing for Alaska.
“I’m happy to be here and win this title. They (Magnolia) accepted me and treated me as one of their own,” said the Magnolia import.
The loss, meanwhile, kept Alaska coach Alex Compton still in search for his first-ever league title. The Aces last won a title in 2013 in the Commissioner’s Cup.

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