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Paul Lee completed a four-point play with 32.5 seconds to go when Magnolia Hotshots attempted a 103-100 victory over NLEX in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday.
Coming off a screen, Lee received a pass from Jio Jalalon on top of the key and threw a 3-pointer while fouled by Anthony Semerad. He made the additional free throw to give the Hotshots a 101-100 lead.
Kiefer Ravena, who led the Road Warriors with 27 points, had a chance to return the lead to the Road Warriors, but his jump jump shot through the roof. Mark Barroca hit two free throws with 15 seconds left to give Magnolia a three-point cushion, which turned out to be the final score after Ravena missed a triple with three seconds left.
However, it was Jio Jalalon and Chris Banchero who led a comeback in the third quarter that allowed the Hotshots to erase a 22-point deficit and claim their first win for a 1-1 record.
However, it was Jio Jalalon and Chris Banchero who led a comeback in the third quarter that allowed the Hotshots to erase a 22-point deficit and claim their first win for a 1-1 record.
Jalalon finished with 19 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals and Banchero had the same number of points to go with four rebounds and three dimes.
Feeling the game was getting out of hand, Hotshots used all the pressure from the court and narrowed a 22-point gap bit by bit until they finally took an 82-80 lead with 8:41 remaining over running back Mark Barroca. .
As they struggled to keep their shots falling for most of the game, scoring was easy for the Hotshots down the stretch. Lee uncorked a 3, Jackson Corpuz cut the defenders for the layup and Chris Banchero hit a jump shot.
Still, it was a back and forth affair in the last four minutes. With Quiñahan and Kevin Alas missing on fouls and Jericho Cruz spraining his ankle in the final minutes, Ravena had to carry most of the load.
Running through the smoke, Ravena nailed a jump back to give the Road Warriors a 97-99 lead with 1:17 left. NLEX rookie Mike Ayonayon split his free throws for a 100-97 lead with 40 ticks to go. Eight seconds later, Lee waved that triple over the key plus the additional free throw.
NLEX was winless in two games in the bubble.
THE SCORES
Magnolia 103 – Banchero 19, Jalalon 19, Lee 18, Barroca 13, Sangalang 9, Corpuz 9, Dionisio 8, Reavis 4, Dela Rosa 4, Melton 0, Calisaan 0.
NLEX 100 – Ravena 27, Alas 18, Cruz 17, Quiñahan 16, Porter 5, Semerad 5, Ayonayon 5, Soyud 4, Ighalo 3, Miranda 0, Varilla 0, Galanza 0, Taulava 0.
Quarterscores: 23-23, 39-50, 70-78, 103-100
ADDITIONAL JARS
-Magnolia was coming off a 94-78 loss to San Miguel Beermen in the first game seven months ago before the game was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
-When he registered with more than four minutes remaining in the first quarter, Asi Taulava officially became the first to play in four different decades.
-Rookie Aris Dionisio finally saw action for Magnolia. He could not play in the first game seven months ago due to problems in terms of requirements. He started for the Hotshots in today’s game and finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
-Marc Pingris and team manager Alvin Patrimonio showed their support for Magnolia as part of the virtual crowd.
NEXT GAMES
Magnolia – Alaska on October 17
NLEX – vs Blackwater on October 17
