Zav Lucero skies for a lay-up during the Magnolia Hotshots’ PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup face-off vs. Blackwater Bossing. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA (UPDATED) — The Magnolia Hotshots are off to a winning start in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.

Zav Lucero led the Chito Victolero-coached squad to a dominant 106-84 victory over Blackwater, Saturday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila to open its All-Filipino conference campaign at 1-0.

Lucero did work for the Hotshots, pouring in nine of his 21 points in the third period while also grabbing seven rebounds with an assist in their win.

"I'm just trying to take advantage of the opportunities that I have," said the former University of the Philippines standout during the postgame presser.  

"I put in a lot of work, but to be honest, whatever I can do to help the thing advance farther is the most important thing," he added.

Also standing out was Ian Sangalang who had 15 markers and 10 boards, veteran ace Mark Barocca who finished with 14 points, and Jerom Lastimosa and Calvin Abueva who both had 13.

Despite Magnolia seeing Blackwater cut their 17-point advantage to only four, Lastimosa and Lucero provided a boost for the Hotshots in the third canto, and this allowed them to dump their opponents by as much as 20, 79-59.

An and-one by Sedrick Barefield at the 7:37 mark helped the Bossing to limit their deficit to 13, and a four-pointer from Christian David allowed his squad to stay within distance just a few plays later, but Lucero and the Hotshots were able to maintain their composure, even pushing their lead to its biggest at 25, 106-81, with only a little over a minute left in the game.

Despite David's 31 points and Barefield's 24, on the other hand, Blackwater moved down to 0-1 in the team standings.

Blackwater also only had 15 turnovers to Magnolia's 20, but nine of the Bossing's total errors came in the second half when they absorbed their biggest disadvantage.

The Scores:

Magnolia 106 – Lucero 21, Sangalang 15, Barroca 14, Lastimosa 13, Abueva 13, Dela Rosa 8, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Alfaro 2, Ahanmisi 2, Laput 2, Escoto 2, Reavis 0, Balanza 0, Eriobu 0.

Blackwater 84 – David 31, Barefield 24, Casio 6, Escoto 4, Tungcab 4, Ayonayon 4, Mallilin 4, Andrade 2, Chua 2, Guinto 2, Mitchell 1, Caperal 0, Jopia 0, Kwekuteye 0.

Quarterscores: 37-22, 53-46, 85-66, 106-84.