Magnolia holds off TNT in season opener
Unbeaten in the PBA On Tour exhibition series, Magnolia hacks out a wire-to-wire win against TNT behind debuting import Tyler Bey to kick off the 48th season
MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia rode on the momentum of its dominant offseason and held off shorthanded TNT, 110-102, to open hostilities in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, November 5.
Unbeaten in 11 games in the PBA On Tour exhibition series, the Hotshots led from start to finish against the Tropang Giga to kick off the 48th season on the right foot with a convincing victory powered by import Tyler Bey.
Bey, a former NBA player for the Dallas Mavericks, produced 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 3 steals in a rousing PBA debut as Magnolia led by as many as 19 points.
The Hotshots’ locals were no slouches either.
Mark Barroca put up 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench, while Paul Lee churned out 17 points and 5 assists.
“It’s great (winning our first game). I handled the adversity, with the coaching staff and my teammates there with me. And I appreciate it,” said Bey.
“This guy was banged-up but he kept playing,” said coach Chito Victolero of his import.
Bey and his teammates took control for most of the way, making good use of their deeper bench against the TNT side which banked heavily on Quincy Miller and Calvin Oftana.
Miller led all scorers with 37 points while Oftana fired 28, including seven three-pointers.
Alas, the Tropang Giga were blasted, 18-41, on bench points. (LVBET)
