By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados are off to a rousing start after notching their fourth consecutive win while keeping their record untainted in the import-laced PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
After three close games against the TNT Tropang Giga, Converge FiberXers, and the Terrafirma Dyip, the Chicken Timplados finally had a consistent offensive flow from start to finish and demolished the NLEX Road Warriors, 111-97.
The Road Warriors still had enough firepower to keep themselves within striking distance in the first two quarters but Magnolia’s solid defensive output at the start of the second half only limited them to 17 points, their lowest-scoring quarter of the game.
Magnolia’s pesky backcourt duo of Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca led all locals in scoring with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Jalalon was a defensive menace all throughout the game and recorded six successful steals in 26 minutes of playing time.
It was Jalalon’s defensive prowess that spearheaded Magnolia’s impressive run in the third canto while slicing through the NLEX interior at will.
Nicholas Rakocevic continued his stellar performance for the Chicken Timplados and notched a game-high 36-point night while grabbing 15 rebounds.
On the other hand, former NBA forward and NLEX’s current import Earl Clark was only limited to 15 points and 10 rebounds and is looking to bounce back in their next game against Cameron Oliver and the TNT Tropang Giga.
Meanwhile, the Chicken Timplados are looking to bag their fifth win in a row when they clash with the NorthPort Batang Pier on Sunday.
