Hotshots complete 11-game sweep of PBA on Tour

Magnolia defeated Terrafirma, 106-92, on Wednesday to complete an 11-game sweep of the 2023 PBA On Tour at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

James Laput scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double, but it was Joseph Eriobu who shone the brightest by scoring all 15 of his points in the second half to propel the Hotshots to a dominating victory in the preseason series.

Eriobu, who has spent the majority of the last three years in 3×3 competitions after being dropped by Blackwater, is attempting to make the most of the opportunity Magnolia coach Chito Victolero is giving him to return to the 5×5 level.

“Sobrang halaga ng ibinibigay ni coach Chito na opportunity,” said the 31-year-old Fil-Nigerian.

“Kasi under observation ako ngayon so ang iniisip ko lang, kagaya kanina, pag ipasok ako kailangan may magawa ako sa court, ‘yung mga intangibles. Iyun palagi ang ni-re-remind sa amin, ‘yung itangibles and hustle sa depensa.”

The defeat prevented the Dyip from finishing the preseason tournament on a high note, resulting in a 4-7 record.

Javi Gomez de Liano and JP Calvo led the Dyip with 14 points each after leading scorer Juami Tiongson was held to 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field.

Eric Camson contributed 13 points but 9 came after Magnolia had established an insurmountable 92-79 lead.

Eriobu’s three-pointer propelled the Hotshots to a 72-69 lead, and he added 7 more points while primarily connecting with Aris Dionisio and Mark Barroca to extend the lead to 13 points.

Laput assumed control as the lead ballooned to as much as 106-89.

Barroca finished with 12 points and Dionisio with 10. Jio Jalalon scored only three points but dished out a tournament-high 12 assists, including 10 in the first half when Magnolia established a 48-42 advantage.

The scores:

Magnolia 106 – Laput 16, Eriobu 15, Barroca 12, Dionisio 10, Dela Rosa 9, Escoto 8, Ahanmisi 6, Mendoza 6, Murrell 6, Reavis 4, Tratter , Abueva 4, Jalalon 3, Corpuz 3.

Terrafirma 92 – Cahilig 14, Gomez de Liano 14, Camson 13, Tiongson 12, Alolino 12, Go 10, Calvo 9, Daquioag 8, Alanes 0, Grospe 0.

Quarterscores: 24-17, 48-42, 72-69, 106-92.