Hotshots raze Fuel Masters for third straight win

MANILA, Philippines -- The Hotshots are on a hot streak.

Magnolia rolled to its third straight win in the PBA Governors’ Cup after draining Phoenix, 115-101, Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Hotshots dropped 33 points in the fourth quarter to wrest control of the game.

KJ Buffen and Jerom Lastimosa exploded for the Hotshots with 35 and 30 points, respectively. The former had 10 rebounds, three blocks and an assist, while the latter, who tallied his career-high in points, had three dimes and two steals.

Mark Barroca added 21 points for the winning team.

Phoenix led by four, 86-82, in the early goings of the fourth quarter after a pair of free throws by Gian Mamuyac.

But a backbreaking 16-0 blitz capped by an Ian Sangalang deuce broke the game wide open for Magnolia, 98-86, with 5:50 left.

Phoenix then played catch-up the rest of the way, eventually cutting the deficit to nine, 91-100, but they could not creep closer.

Sangalang added 10 points for Magnolia.

Robert Johnson III top-scored with 37 markers and added eight boards for Phoenix. Ricci Rivero chipped in 16 points.

Magnolia finally rose to above .500 with a 4-3 win-loss record, while Phoenix dropped to an identical slate.