Top seed Magnolia asserted its might in the playoffs, securing a spot in the semifinals of the 2023-’24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup after a dominant 109-94 victory over the TNT Tropang Giga at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 17.
Import Tyler Bey led the way with 41 points, including a perfect 16-of-16 clip from the foul line, as Magnolia unleashed a back-breaking 16-1 run to establish enough cushion to fend off a late TNT fightback.
Bey, who poured 25 of his output in the second half, added 13 rebounds and five steals to his line, while Mark Barroca provided ample support with 17 points.
Ian Sangalang contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, while Abueva also scored 12 points and put a body on TNT import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson on the defensive end.
The Hotshots banked on a strong first half that allowed them to take the lead at the break, 50-44. The Tropang Giga briefly took the lead in the second half, but Magnolia went on a massive run to establish an advantage it managed to sustain and even stretch to as high as 19 points in the final frame.
Hollis-Jefferson did everything he can to help TNT, finishing with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, but it was not enough to force a sudden-death match.
Calvin Oftana finished with 20 points and six assists for TNT, while Pogoy and Aurin added 17 and 13 points, respectively, in a losing effort.
