Magnolia rout Ginebra 112-93 to clinch a quarterfinal spot, and Juan Gómez de Liaño's triple-double sends Converge through

The Manila Clasico was over by the end of the first quarter. Magnolia led Barangay Ginebra 34-19 after 12 minutes at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, stretched the lead to as many as 28 points and won 112-93 to clinch a quarterfinal place in the PBA Governors' Cup.

It was Magnolia's fifth straight win. The Hotshots are 6-3 and top Group B. Ginebra, who had beaten Rain or Shine 129-111 on Friday, fell to 3-5, fifth in the group and outside the top four.

Also at the Coliseum on Sunday, Juan Gómez de Liaño had 32 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists as Converge beat Titan Ultra 152-119. The win sent Converge to the quarterfinals and ended Titan Ultra's hopes of joining them.

Magnolia 112, Ginebra 93

Magnolia won every quarter but the last. The Hotshots led 63-46 at half-time and 87-64 after three quarters. Ginebra won the fourth 29-25, with the game long decided.

Six Hotshots scored in double figures. Zavier Lucero led them with 21 points and nine rebounds. Jerom Lastimosa added 16 off the bench, Mark Barroca 15, and import KJ Buffen 14 with 10 rebounds. Jordan Murphy scored 18 for Ginebra and RJ Abarrientos 12.

It was Magnolia's second win over Ginebra in the conference, after their first meeting on August 2.

Scoring

Magnolia: Zavier Lucero 21, Jerom Lastimosa 16, Mark Barroca 15, KJ Buffen 14, Peter Alfaro 12, Ian Sangalang 10, Chris Koon 7, Rome dela Rosa 4, James Laput 4, Yukien Andrada 3, Paolo Taha 2, Clifford Jopia 2, Raffy Verano 2, Gab Gomez 0, Javi Gómez de Liaño 0.

Ginebra: Jordan Murphy 18, RJ Abarrientos 12, Isaac Go 10, Raymond Aguilar 10, Stephen Holt 8, Sonny Estil 7, Scottie Thompson 5, Jeremiah Gray 5, Japeth Aguilar 4, Ralph Cu 3, Troy Rosario 3, Norbert Torres 3, John Pinto 3, John Abis 2.

By quarter: Magnolia 34, 29, 24, 25. Ginebra 19, 27, 18, 29.

Converge 152, Titan Ultra 119

Converge led all game, but Titan Ultra would not go away in the third quarter. The FiberXers built a 20-point lead, and the Giant Risers cut into it. It was 99-90 after three quarters.

Then Converge scored 53 points in the fourth quarter, against 29.

Gómez de Liaño's triple-double led seven FiberXers in double figures. Import Cameron Clark scored 30, and Justine Baltazar had 20 points and 11 rebounds. Alec Stockton added 16 and Calvin Abueva 15. Tirrell Brown scored 31 for Titan Ultra, Joshua Munzon 22 and Aris Dionisio 16.

Converge are 6-4, tied with TNT for third in Group A. They are the fourth and last team from the group to reach the quarterfinals, joining NLEX (8-2), San Miguel (7-3) and TNT. Titan Ultra fell to 2-8.

Scoring

Converge: Juan Gómez de Liaño 32, Cameron Clark 30, Justine Baltazar 20, Alec Stockton 16, Calvin Abueva 15, Jonnel Policarpio 11, Justin Arana 11, Jaydee Tungcab 7, MJ Garcia 4, Mikey Williams 4, John Lloyd Clemente 2, Archie Concepcion 0, Ronan Santos 0.

Titan Ultra: Tirrell Brown 31, Joshua Munzon 22, Aris Dionisio 16, RR Garcia 8, Denzel Wong 8, Von Pessumal 7, Mark Omega 5, King Caralipio 5, Fran Yu 4, Ato Ular 4, Axel Iñigo 3, John Amores 2, Paolo Javillonar 2, Deles 2.

By quarter: Converge 38, 33, 28, 53. Titan Ultra 27, 33, 30, 29.

What is next

Magnolia close the elimination round against Rain or Shine on October 21 in Antipolo, with first place in Group B at stake. Ginebra need to climb back into the top four, where Blackwater sit fourth at 3-4.