A healthy Ian Sangalang can become a game changer for the Magnolia Timplados Hotshots.
The old reliable center picked a perfect time to unravel his vintage form — in celebration of the PBA’s 50th season — as he ended up a rebound short of posting a double-double performance, but his inspired performance rubbed off on the rest of the Hotshots, who went on to book their second straight win of the conference and add the Converge FiberXers to their list of victims, 83-71, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Sangalang hit 9-of-13 shots and practically got the better end of the match up against his younger counterparts — fellow Kapampangan Justin Baltazar and Ryan Arana — as the grizzled veteran who was one of the few remaining members of the 2014 grand slam team ended up with 18 points and nine boards.
“Nirespeto ko sila. Hindi na rin naman talaga sila mga bata sa laban,” said Sangalang when asked how he was able to hold his own against his younger, equally bigger counterparts.
“Kung hindi mo sila rerespetuhin, kakainin ka ng buong-buo noon. Nakikita niyo naman paano silang maglaro sa past few games nila. Maganda nilalaro nung dalawang Justin. So, kailangan ko lang gawin yung trabaho ko para mabawasan rin yung kumpiyansa na dala-dala nila,” he added.
But Sangalang knew he couldn’t do it alone and he needed his frontline partner to step up big as well.
Zav Lucero was more than willing to provide that as the 6-foot-7, former University of the Philippine standout scored 17 of his 18 points in the second half, allowing the Hotshots to notch their second win in as many games.
The Hotshots won despite getting outrebounded by the FiberXers as the younger Converge squad collared 14 more rebounds than the more experienced Magnolia side, 55-41.
