WATCH: Interview with Best Player James Laput [Magnolia vs Blackwater | May 28, 2023]
PBA on Tour
The investments Magnolia has made seem to be wise ones.
Abu Tratter led the dividends that began paying off for the Hotshots, boosting the Hotshots to a cruising 117-83 win over Blackwater Sunday in the PBA On Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The frontliner acquired last month from Converge shared scoring honors with team veteran Mark Barroca and Jerrick Ahanmisi as they scored 14 points each, but the former added more in terms of the energy he showed through seven rebounds.
Even James Laput, netted from a trade with Terrafirma in late 2021, did his part with a double-double of 12 points and as many rebounds while issuing four assists and blocking two shots that made up for the absence of fellow frontliners Ian Sangalang and Russell Escoto.
Magnolia can now look forward to having Tratter and Laput combo, or one with either of them chiefly partnering with Sangalang once the latter is fully recovered from his recent bout with a thyroid illness and fit enough to play.
Laput is sure looking forward to such scenarios. “He (Tratter) has been a great addition to our team, him and David (Murrell),” he said.
“They just bought into the system, they bought into the culture. They both know what’s expected of them and we’re just here to support them. He is just a great teammate along this journey,” added Laput.