Magnolia melts Air21

By: Zean Macamay
People's Journal
October 14, 2007

Games on Wednesday: (Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Sta. Lucia vs Purefoods
7:20 p.m. – Talk ‘N Text vs Alaska

New name, same style, and with added depth. Magnolia indeed played true to what everyone believes it is capable of doing.

The Beverage Masters gave an early glimpse of what power they can unleash with their old superstars and new prized players playing as one, cutting down the Air21 Express in the second half on the way to a 121-112 win at the start last night of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros sprung back to active duty after their national team stints, and their return only made things even more devastating for the former San Miguel Beer quintet now loaded with a lot more talent and tagged as one of the teams to beat in the season-opening conference.

Seigle started cold, but finished with the hottest pair of hands in breaking the backs of the Express, finishing with 28 points on 10-of-16 field-goal shooting aside from grabbing seven rebounds.

“It’s nice to be back,” said Seigle. “With time, our chemistry would be better.”

KG Canaleta posted a career-high 32 points to lead Air21, the team that was the topic of debate long before the start of the tournament over questions whether it could really acquire Robert Jaworski, Sr. as head coach.

Rico Villanueva added 20 points and Hontiveros posted 15 for the Beverage Masters, who also drew 11 each from Danny Ildefonso and Larry Fonacier.

The highlight in Fonacier’s production was the one that gave Magnolia the biggest lead of the game.

He connected on a three-point basket and was fouled, converting the bonus free throw for the rare four-point play that gave the Beverage Masters a 112-97 lead with 4:59 left to play, a stunning run after only leading by 93-89 four minutes earlier.

The scores:

Magnolia (121) — Seigle 28, Villanueva 20, Hontiveros 15, Ildefonso 11, Fonacier 11, Tugade 11, Tenorio 9, Racela 8, Eman 5, Gonzales 3, Wilson 0.
Air21 (112) — Canaleta 32, Santos 21, Arboleda 15, Dimaunahan 9, Se 8, Cruz 7, Sotto 6, Intal 5, De Ocampo 4, Kramer 3, Baluyot 2, Chia 0.
Quarterscores: 25-32; 52-56; 86-81; 121-112.