Ahanmisi explodes as Magnolia suffocates Terrafirma
Jerrick Ahanmisi scored a career-best 24 points to lead the Magnolia Hotshots’ overwhelming win over Terrafirma Dyip, 124-104, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Magnolia went back to their identity as a defensive team and even led as much as 60-22 in the second quarter.
Ahanmisi's career game was highlighted by his four 4-pointers and two 3-pointers, where his 10 of 24 markers in the second period fueled their breakaway to erect a 63-32 lead at the half.
Before Ahanmisi’s explosion, Hotshots import Glenn Robinson III made his presence felt early in the game and finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds despite dealing with food poisoning on the eve of the match.
Zavier Lucero, Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee and Joseph Eriobu each finished with at least 12 markers to back up Ahanmi’s impressive performance.
The performance pleased Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero even though the Hotshots seemed to relax in the second half where they allowed the Dyip to score more than 30 per quarter.
"I told them before, in our preparations, that all our failures, 'our setbacks, what is important is on how we bounce back," said Victolero.
We did very well. We started very strong, we played on our pace and I think we got to dictate our defense right away and it impacted the whole team," he added.
"Maybe we just relaxed a little bit that’s that's why they scored more than 30 points per quarter in the second half," Victolero ended.
On the other hand, Stanley Pringle scored 23 markers for Terrafirma while fellow former Barangay Ginebra player Christian Standhardinger had his best game for his new team producing 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Unfortunately for the Dyip, Juami Tiongson, Kemark Carino and Antonio Hester suffered injuries that kept them out of action in the entire second half.
Rookie Paolo Hernandez tried to fill the slack for the three as he recorded his own career-high 18 points anchored on a 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc, but not enough to match the balance attack of the Hotshots.
The Scores :
MAGNOLIA 124 - Ahanmisi 24, Robinson III 20, Lucero 15, Sangalang 14, Lee 13, Eriobu 12, Balanza 7, Barroca 6, Laput 6, Dionisio 4, Abueva 3, Mendoza 0, Reavis 0, Dela Rosa 0, Alfaro 0.
TERRAFIRMA 103 - Pringle 23, Standhardinger 22, Hernandez 18, Sangalang 9, Ramos 9, Ferrer 7, Hanapi 7, Cahilig 6, Hester 2, Tiongson 0, Olivario 0, Carino 0.
QUARTERS: 34-13, 63-32, 86-64, 124-103.
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