James Laput. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines-Backup center James Laput registered a double-double to emerge as one of the prominent figures in Magnolia’s 103-97 win over NLEX in the PBA On Tour on Saturday at Baliwag Star Arena in Baliwag, Bulacan.
Laput, who has spent most of his first two PBA seasons on the bench, had 18 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes as the Hotshots continued their unbeaten run with their third victory in as many games in the two-month exhibition series.
Jackson Corpuz, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Jed Mendoza and Joseph Eriobu also got significant minutes and were able to prevent NLEX from completing its comeback in the fourth.
Mendoza’s triple with 12.4 seconds left settled the final score after the Road Warriors got to within three on Kevin Alas’ three in the previous possession.
Corpuz topscored with 19 points, Ahanmisi put in 15 while Mendoza made eight points, five rebounds and two steals for Magnolia.
Jio Jalalon finally made his On Tour debut for the Hotshots after sitting out the first two games and tallied six points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 16 minutes as a starter.
Alas, back after recovering from COVID-19, and Don Trollano scored 15 points each but NLEX remained winless after three games in the series.
Dominic Fajardo, who is looking to get a crack at the 5-on-5 roster after starring for NLEX’s PBA 3×3 team CAVITEX, had another strong game with 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
Ben Adamos posted 18 points and five rebounds in his NLEX debut after being traded from Phoenix for Reden Celda and Tzaddy Rangel.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 103—Corpuz 19, Laput 18, Ahanmisi 15, Dela Rosa 12, Lee 12, Mendoza 8, Eriobu 7, Jalalon 6, Barroca 6, Tratter 0, Murrell 0.
NLEX 97—Adamos 18, Trollano 15, Alas 15, Pascual 14, Fajardo 12, Rosales 8, Galanza 7, Doliguez 5, Miranda 3.
Quarters: 26-25, 45-53, 75-67, 103-97.
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