Magnolia used a massive fourth quarter to turn a 10-point lead into a 29-point rout against San Miguel Beer, giving a returning Calvin Abueva a delightful welcome in the PBA on Tour exhibition on Sunday at Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Abueva had 16 rebounds to go with his nine points in his first preseason game for the Hotshots, who tallied their eighth straight victory in the preseason tour.
But it was James Laput who topscored for Magnolia with a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds, even as Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter tallied 11 markers each.
Nevertheless, Laput was delighted by Abueva’s return, citing the energy the PBA vet brings to every game.
“I think it’s just great; it gives us so much confidence. We all know he’s gonna go hard no matter what; it doesn’t matter whether it’s a tour game, a regular, or a tune-up; he’s just going hard,” he said.
Magnolia was already leading by 10 points, 66-56, going into the fourth quarter when it went all out in the last 12 minutes.
The payoff period saw the Hotshots pour in 28 points while limiting the deflated Beermen to just nine points.
Jericho Cruz scored 15 points for San Miguel. Rodney Brondial added 12 points and 11 rebounds.
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