By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Magnolia Chicken Timplados remained the most dominant team in the ongoing PBA On Tour Preseason after extending its unbeaten streak to 10 straight games last July 23, 2023.
Magnolia cruised to another convincing victory and stomped over the Phoenix Super LPG, 111-91, held at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Chicken Timplados went off to the races after quickly building a 10-point lead courtesy of a buzzer-beating fast-break layup by Magnolia’s point guard Jio Jalalon.
However, just when Magnolia thought they could easily fend off Phoenix in the last three quarters, the Super LPG unleashed a huge response after countering with their own scoring snowball in the second quarter.
From facing a 10-point lead, Phoenix’s three-point shooting explosion helped them claw their way back in the first five minutes of the second frame to grab a seven-point lead.
With their winning streak on the line, the Chicken Timplados flipped the switch in the closing minutes of the second quarter to snatch away the lead again, 55-52.
From a passive offensive approach to start the second quarter, head coach Chito Victolero called for a timeout to stop the bleeding and went back to his aggressive small-ball lineup.
That move paid off dividends as Magnolia was able to outrun the Super LPG and just took over the game in the whole second half.
Jalalon led the charge for the Chicken Timplados after putting up 22 points, nine assists, and four rebounds.
Backstopping Jalalon was his backcourt-mate Mark Barroca who contributed 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
“Kailangan namin ‘yung mga ganyang laro. I told them na it’s all about trusting the system, trusting our execution, trusting your teammates. That was the reminder during the fourth quarter. We need to stay composed,” said Victolero after the game.
Despite the absence of superstar Paul Lee who was out due to rest and limited designated minutes for their superstar forward Calvin Abueva, the Chicken Timplados showed their roster depth and got four double-digit scorings from Jalalon, Barroca, Aris Dionisio, and Jerrick Ahanmisi.
