MAGNOLIA is back in business in this PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Leaning on their trademark defense and a scrappy offense, the Hotshots beat San Miguel for the second straight game, 96-85, and evened their best-of-seven series at 2-all on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Tyler Bey regained his offensive touch as he had 26 points and 12 rebounds while maintaining his defensive intensity with six steals and one block, getting the better of his match-up with SMB counterpart Bennie Boatwright.
Paul Lee put an exclamation point to the win, draining a long three with 1:51 left in the match for a 94-83 lead as the Hotshots, once down 0-2, reduced this finale between sister teams into a best-of-three affair.
Lee had 14 points along with Mark Barroca, who also added seven rebounds and six assists for the Hotshots.
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Ian Sangalang added 13 points including a short stab in a pivotal 8-0 run that broke a 79-79 deadlock and turned the tide for Magnolia in what until then was a contest that was too close to call.
As usual, Magnolia’s defense was top-notch, with Bey limiting Boatwright once again to 16 points and just one three-pointer.
“Everyone embraced our defensive mindset. Everyone embraced that we are the underdog in this series. We sacrificed for this series especially (Tyler). He handled their best player Boatwright,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
Game Five is set on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum with the Hotshots having a chance at taking the lead into the series after losing the first two games, both in blowout fashion.
CJ Perez had 17 points but was saddled with four fouls in the first half, while June Mar Fajardo had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Beermen, whose high-octane offense have been limited to 82.5 a game in the past two defeats.
The scores:
Magnolia 96 – Bey 26, Lee 14, Barroca 14, Sangalang 13, Jalalon 10, Abueva 9, Dionisio 6, Dela Rosa 2, Laput 2, Tratter 0, Escoto 0.
San Miguel 85 – Fajardo 18, Perez 17, Boatwright 16, Trollano 12, Cruz 11, Lassiter 9, Teng 2, Tautuaa 0, Ross 0.
Quarters: 27-19; 49-45; 72-73; 96-85.
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