Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

PBA: Paul Lee puts up inspired outing as Magnolia forces sudden death


Magnolia ensured that its season would not conclude too soon as it exacted vengeance on Meralco, 94-73, in Game Four of the 2022 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals, Wednesday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots extinguished the Bolts’ fiery 11-0 start with a 20-8 retaliation to end the opening period up by one. They led from that point on, and then finished strong en route to sending the best-of-five tilt to a rubber match on Friday.

“Siguro medyo nawawala sa amin in the last two games was how we enjoyed the game. Right now, those are the two words — the grind, and we need to enjoy the game. ‘Yun lang ‘yung ginawa namin,” said coach Chito Victolero.

Mike Harris led the way with 34 points and 18 rebounds as his side finally got back to their winning ways after losing Games Two and Three — the first time that the top seed suffered back-to-back losses in the conference.

Paul Lee came through with an inspired performance, firing 17 points and five assists in 25 minutes as he braved through a left ankle injury.

Calvin Abueva fouled out in the final minutes but already dealt enough damage as he left with 11 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. The ‘Beast’ also had a plus-minus rating of 39 in the 25 minutes and 38 seconds he played.

Jio Jalalon chipped in 10 markers, on top of seven dimes, four boards, and a steal for Magnolia, who shot 49-percent from the floor.

Magnolia already led by 14 early in the final frame but Meralco trimmed the gap to just six, 73-67, behind Allein Maliksi with 5:30 remaining.

#ReadMore  Calvin Abueva rejuvenated with return of physical play: 'Masarap maglaro'

Abueva, though, canned a pair of free throws shortly after, which sparked a 12-0 run — capped by Lee — to make it an 18-point lead. The Hotshots would enjoy a lead as high as 22, 90-68, with 2:17 left to play.

“‘No more tomorrow’ was the mentality. We just tried to live one game at a time. Pinag-usapan lang namin is every possession, we need to grind. Possession by possession, on both ends of the floor,” said Victolero.

Meralco, meanwhile, was led by Tony Bishop with 22 points and 16 rebounds against turnovers in the defeat, where he almost had no help from the locals except for Chris Newsome. The Fil-Am guard had 11 points.

Game Five is on Friday, 6:00 p.m., still at the Big Dome, with the winner set to face reigning champs Ginebra in a best-of-seven affair.

The Scores:

Magnolia 94 – Harris 34, Lee 17, Abueva 11, Jalalon 10, Corpuz 9, Barroca 5, Sangalang 4, Reavis 2, Brill 2, Wong 0, Dela Rosa 0.

Meralco 73 – Bishop 22, Newsome 11, Almazan 8, Banchero 7, Maliksi 7, Quinto 6, Caram 4, Hodge 3, Black 3, Baclao 2, Canete 0 ,Pasaol 0.

Quarterscores: 20-19, 42-30, 62-52, 94-73.

All PBA games stream live on GigaPlay. Download it now on Android or IOS.

The second game of each playdate is also livestreamed on SMART Sports.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

It was as if there was nothing merry in this Christmas of Paul Lee after Magnolia suffered a defeat so humiliating at the hands...

Basketball

Scottie Thompson nailed the game-winning trey to help Ginebra frustrate Magnolia, 95-92, and emerge triumphant in another Christmas Clasico affair before a solid crowd...

Basketball

Not even the Christmas spirit stopped Comverge from giving Meralco a harsh 110-94 whipping to extend its winning streak to four games in the...

Basketball

Magnolia laid its four-game skid to rest by outlasting NLEX in overtime, 99-95, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Friday night at the Philsports Arena...

Basketball

PBA squads Meralco and San Miguel suffered tough defeats in the continuation of the 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL) season on Wednesday night....

Basketball

There are far bigger things to worry about for Mark Barroca and a heated exchange with an opponent is not — and won’t ever...

Basketball

Rain or Shine outlasted Magnolia in a game of runs between grind-out teams, 102-100, to extend its winning streak to three games in the...

Basketball

Blackwater nailed its first win of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup after a 114-98 conquest of Meralco on Thursday night at the Ninoy...

Advertisement