MANILA, Philippines – Going up against two of the best young bigs in the league, Ian Sangalang showed he can still hold his own.
Sangalang delivered 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists as Magnolia scored an 83-71 win over Converge in the first of the PBA’s doubleheader for its 50th anniversary at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday, April 9.
The 33-year-old veteran shot an efficient 9-of-13 from the field against the FiberXers twin towers of Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar to help the Hotshots improve to 2-0 in the Philippine Cup.
“I just respected the way they play. Those two are not kids anymore. If you do not respect those two, they’re going to eat you alive,” said Sangalang in Filipino. “I just did what I had to do.”
Zavier Lucero also finished with 18 points to go with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks as he and Sangalang took turns in the fourth quarter to keep Converge at bay.
Lucero and Sangalang scored 9 and 6 points, respectively, in the final period — the two matching the FiberXers’ 15 fourth-quarter points.
Russel Escoto provided Magnolia quality minutes by putting 11 points in just over eight minutes of action, while Rome dela Rosa chimed in 9 points, with 7 coming in the last frame.
Calvin Abueva also made his presence felt with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals as the Hotshots went 2-0 in an All-Filipino conference for the first time since they won their first four games in the 2021 edition.
Arana (14 points and 14 rebounds) and Baltazar (11 points and 13 rebounds) both came up with double-double performances, but their efforts were not enough for a FiberXers side that dropped two of their first three games.
Converge continues to miss the presence of star guard Jordan Heading, who has yet to play this conference due to back issues.
Schonny Winston had 14 points as well with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in the loss.
The Scores
Magnolia 83 – Sangalang 18, Lucero 18, Escoto 11, Dela Rosa 9, Abueva 8, Laput 4, Barroca 4, Alfaro 4, Lee 3, Lastimosa 2, Dionisio 2, Reavis 0, Eriobu 0.
Converge 71 – Winston 14, Arana 14, Baltazar 11, Racal 11, Stockton 8, B.Santos 4, Garcia 4, Corpuz 3, Delos Santos 2, Garcia 2, Ambohot 0, Nermal 0, Santos 0, Fleming 0, Caralipio 0.
Quarters: 14-16, 36-33,59-56, 83-71.
– Rappler.com