Sports
Magnolia pulls away to beat Meralco in rain-delayed game
Magnolia Hotshots’ Ian Sangalang blocks Meralco Bolts’ Chris Banchero during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia emerged victorious over Meralco in a rain-pestered matchup, 105-88, in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday night.
The Hotshots took advantage of the long break prompted by venue issues inside the Manila sporting complex to move up to 3-3 in Group B.
“When the game stopped, we all talked heading into the fourth quarter and said, whoever gets a good start [in the fourth] will have a bigger chance of winning because the other side will be cold,” Ian Sangalang said in Filipino after dropping a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
“We needed to dig deep because we rested for a while and fortunately, we were able to do it.”
Still no resumption of play here inside the Ninoy Aquino Stadium between the Bolts and the Hotshots.
The game was halted before the start of the fourth quarter due to rook leakage from strong rains. #PBA50 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/ifQIwrJiOA
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) August 7, 2026
Magnolia held a slim 71-70 lead over Meralco at the end of the third quarter.
However, water from roof leaks reached the hardwood due to strong Habagat rains, delaying the game for almost 30 minutes.
When the action resumed, Magnolia came out firing.
The Hotshots opened the fourth period with a strong 19-5 run capped by a basket by Zavier Lucero with 5:11 to play to build a 90-75 lead over Meralco.
Meralco managed to cut the deficit to 10, 95-85, but Jerom Lastimosa’s and-one play with 2:20 remaining effectively put the game out of reach.
KJ Buffen led Magnolia on offense with 27 points while Lastimosa and Lucero added 17 and 10 points, respectively.
The Bolts dropped their fourth straight game to fall to 2-5, despite 24 points from Antonio Hester. Jayson Brickman and Chris Newsome added 19 and 17 points, respectively, while the returning CJ Cansino chipped in 15.
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