Fit-again Travis, Hotshots rip Dyip

MANILA,Philippines — Gaining from the strong presence of a relatively healthier Romeo Travis, struggling defending champion Magnolia got back on its feet with a crucial 118-103 victory over Columbian Dyip last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Slowed down by an ankle injury during the Hotshots’ three-game skid, Travis, now 85 to 90 percent fit, came up big and scattered 28 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks as he starred in the bounce-back win that catapulted Magnolia to sixth spot at 4-4.

“I told the players this should be the start of our playoffs run. We were No. 7 prior to this game so we have to make our move,” said Hotshots coach Chito Victolero, whose team displaced Columbian (4-5) at No. 6.

“It’s a must-win for us. Coming from a three-game losing streak, we really need to bounce back. And we’re fortunate that Romeo is now 85 to 90 percent healthy coming back from injury. We really need his leadership,” he added.

Travis, who missed the last five minutes in Magnolia’s losing game to San Miguel, entirely missed its setback to Blackwater, and played with virtually one good foot in the blowout to Ginebra, fired 26 in the last three quarters to fuel the Hotshots’ breakaway. 

It wasn’t all Travis, though, as Ian Sangalang (24-8), Jio Jalalon (19-9-8), Rome dela Rosa (16 markers, four steals), and Mark Barroca (10 points, seven feeds) helped their import out.

Later, Allen Durham turned in a triple-double performance to power Meralco to a massive 125-99 rout of San Miguel Beer, propelling the Bolts to third spot at 5-2.

Durham put his all-around game in full display with his 29-15-11 outing and locals Baser Amer (26-7-5), Chris Newsome (14), Raymond Almazan (12) and newly-acquired Allein Maliksi (12) followed his lead as the Bolts overtook the Beermen (5-3) in the standings.

The scores: 

First Game

Magnolia 118 – Travis 28, Sangalang 24, Jalalon 19, Dela Rosa 16, Barroca 10, Pingris 8, Herndon 6, Lee 5, Pascual 2, Melton 0.

Columbian 103 – Perez 28, Alston 26, McCarthy 18, Tiongson 13, Cahilig 6, Corpuz 5, Khobuntin 5, Calvo 2, Faundo 0.

Quarterscores: 27-29, 61-52, 88-76, 118-103

Second Game

Meralco 125 – Durham 29, Amer 26, Newsome 14, Maliksi 12, Almazan 12, Faundo 10, Quinto 7, Jamito 6, Caram 6, Hugnatan 3, Hodge 0, Pinto 0, Jose 0, Jackson 0.

San Miguel 99 – Fajardo 31, Wells 18, Cabagnot 12, Pessumal 9, Romeo 8, Ross 5, Nabong 3, Santos 2, Tautuaa 0, Rosser 0, Zamar 0.

Quarterscores: 30-21, 64-49, 92-70, 125-99