PBA: Ian Sangalang shows playoff grit against Marvin Jones, Meralco

SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Quarterfinals

Magnolia Hotshots’ Ian Sangalang during a game against Meralco Bolts in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia veteran Ian Sangalang showed that not everything is about scoring in the Hotshots’ 95-89 win over Meralco in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday.

While Jones outdid Sangalang on the stat sheet, it was the latter’s Hotshots who came away with a win that forced a do-or-die affair for a semifinals ticket.

“For me, no import is too big at this point. This would’ve been our last game if we lost,” Sangalang said in Filipino. “Tonight, we focused on him. We showed that we want to win, but this isn’t over yet. We still have one more game.”

Magnolia Hotshots’ Ian Sangalang defends Meralco Bolts’ Marvin Jones during a game in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Sangalang had just 10 points and three rebounds off the bench in the win.

That may not look like much, but he did stop Jones from having a double-double. The Meralco import only had 16 points and six rebounds and made just three of his 15 shots.

Aside from stopping the Bolts’ enforcer, Sangalang also made it a point to show the Magnolia young guns how to play in the playoffs.

“It starts with us, we’re the veterans, we had to show how to play in the playoffs because it’s not that easy,” he said. “They (young guys) follow us so we had to show them how to play.”

Sangalang and the Hotshots look to finish the job on Saturday at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.