By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados kept the Terrafirma Dyip winless in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup, 124-103, on September 1, 2024, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Longing to return to the PBA winning column after losing a tightly-contested battle against the TNT Tropang Giga, the Chicken Timplados vented its ire on Terrafirma and ballooned its lead to as much as 38 points in the first half.
Magnolia came out waxing hot in the first 12 minutes of the ball game, limiting Terrafirma to just 13 points while building a 21-point cushion heading to the next frame, 34-13.
Every member from Magnolia who touched the leather produced points, and was also locked in defensively as they shut down the offensive prowess of Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle.
All hell broke loose in the second period when the Chicken Timplados garnered its biggest lead of the ball game, sucking the life out of Terrafirma which is yet to win a single game out of their four total outings in the import-laced conference.
Out of all the stars in Magnolia, it was shooter Jerrick Ahanmisi who stole the limelight, reaching a new career-high in points with 24 markers.
Ahanmisi went unconscious from the four-point territory, draining four out of his eight total attempts to set the new PBA record for the most four-pointers buried in a game.
He was also automatic from downtown, swishing two three-point attempts that spearheaded the Magnolia rally in the second half.
Terrafirma showed some life in the third quarter, trimming their 38-point deficit to just 18 points but Magnolia closed the show with a final offensive avalanche in the final canto to secure the momentum-boosting win.
Aside from Ahanmisi, Magnolia reinforcement Glenn Robinson III flaunted a double-double performance of 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Newly acquired versatile forward Zavier Lucero also flashed a glimpse of what he can bring to the table after finishing with an all-around outing of 15 markers, five boards, and three dimes.
The Chicken Timplados will aim to clinch back-to-back wins on September 4, 2024, as they face the NorthPort Batang Pier in the last game of the scheduled doubleheader.
