JEROM Lastimosa found his rhythm just in time and powered Magnolia to a 105-88 win over Meralco in a rain-delayed PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup game on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The sophomore guard scored 11 of his 17 points in the final quarter to engineer a telling 19-5 run shortly after a long break over a leak in the stadium roof that enabled the Hotshots to suddenly zoom to a 90-75 lead.
READ Leaking Ninoy Stadium roof puts Meralco-Magnolia game to a halt
Before that huge scoring binge, Magnolia held on to a slim 71-70 advantage prior to the start of the fourth after the game was halted for about 40 minutes following a strong leak from the roof that rendered the court unplayable.
KJ Buffen had 27 points and five rebounds to show the way for Magnolia, who improved to a 3-4 slate after winning its second straight game that followed its 88-73 victory over Barangay Ginebra.
“I challenged them (Hotshots) just like in the last game. It’s a must-win for us. Ayaw kong sayangin yung panalo namin against Ginebra,” said head coach LA Tenorio as Magnolia won back-to-back for the first time this conference.
Ian Sangalang also had a solid game for Magnolia with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while teaming up with Lastimosa, Mark Barroca, and Zavier Lucero in that strong finishing kick by the Hotshots.
Antonio Hester had 24 points and rookie Jason Brickman came back from a bout with the flu to scored 19 for the free-falling Meralco side which suffered a fourth straight loss.
The Bolts suddenly found themselves at the bottom of Group B with a 2-4 record.
They led 70-63 late in the third period before the Hotshots went on an 8-0 run to close out the quarter and trail, 71-70, before the court was deemed unplayable due to the leak in the venue roof.
“Honestly, I was worried kasi we had a good run before the end of the third quarter and then suddenly, na-stop,” said Tenorio. “So akala ko talaga yung momentum namin natigil.”
But there was no stopping the Hotshots coming off the break as Lastimosa finally took charge for the team.
The scores
Magnolia (105) - Buffen 27, Lastimosa 17, Sangalang 16, Lucero 10, Andrada 8, Lee 7, Dela Rosa 7, Barroca 7, Alfaro 4, Jopia 2, Koon 0.
Meralco (88) - Hester 24, Brickman 19, Newsome 17, Cansino 15, Black 6, Quinto 3, Hodge 2, Banchero 2, Bates 0, Mocon 0, Rios 0.
Quarterscores: 22-29; 47-48; 71-70; 105-88.
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