MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia sent Terrafirma crashing back to earth with a 114-87 blowout win in the PBA Governors’ Cup as the league welcomed back fans for the first time in nearly two years at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, December 15.

Import Mike Harris notched a monster double-double of 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 steals to power the Hotshots, who were coincidentally one of the last two teams to play before a live audience at the Big Dome in March 2020 when they lost to San Miguel.

Harris, now reinforcing the team that beat him in the 2018 Governors’ Cup finals when he still played for Alaska, led the fourth-quarter breakaway with 10 points in the period as Magnolia enjoyed a lead as big as 34 points.

The Hotshots also did not lack offensive contributions from the locals, with Calvin Abueva chalking up a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double and Paul Lee tallying 16 points.

Aris Dionisio chipped in 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals, Ian Sangalang had 10 points, while Jio Jalalon scattered 8 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals as the Magnolia sent a strong message to the rest of the league with a dominant conference debut.

Jerrick Ahanmisi also added 8 points in the win.

Fresh from a gritty overtime win over Rain or Shine last Saturday, December 11, the Dyip sought to take of the Hotshots playing just their first game of the conference.

Magnolia, though, did not show jitters as it built a double-digit advantage at halftime, 46-35, and stretched its lead to 17 points with a quarter left to play, 81-74.

Harris then took over, scoring 8 straight points to give the Hotshots a 102-78 cushion before he subbed out with less than four minutes left with the verdict already beyond doubt.

Import Antonio Hester led Terrafirma – which slipped to 1-2 – with 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Juami Tiongson came off the bench and fired 20 points.

The Scores

Magnolia 114 – Harris 30, Abueva 17, Lee 16, Sangalang 10, Dionisio 10, Ahanmisi 8, Jalalon 8, Dela Rosa 6, Brill 4, Barroca 3, Laput 2, Corpuz 0, De Leon 0, Capobres 0.

Terrafirma 87 – Hester 21, Tiongson 20, Cabagnot 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, Cahilig 6, Pascual 3, Melton 2, Ramos 2, Calvo 2, Camson 2, Batiller 2, Gabayni 1, Adams 0, Celda 0.

Quarters: 18-15, 46-35, 81-64, 114-87.

– Rappler.com