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    Magnolia endures loss of import, outduels TNT in close finish

    Hotshots make it 3 in a row
    Oct 5, 2022
    Calvin Abueva
    PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

    PAUL Lee scored two free throws with 4.3 seconds left as Magnolia Chicken Timplados outlasted TNT, 94-92, on Wednesday in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

    Lee fished a foul from TNT new guy Calvin Oftana in Magnolia's final offensive play and made the marginal points from the free throw line amid protests from the sidelines from a livid Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes.

    Roger Pogoy missed a three in TNT’s last possession as Magnolia escaped with a third successive win, leaving Reyes so disappointed he approached the officials table to confront league officials after the final buzzer.

    Cam Oliver

    Reyes later stormed out of the Big Dome in frustration over the referees' call.

    “We talked about a grinding game. ‘Yun ang emphasis namin (before the game). This is a championship team. This is an elite team,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, referring to TNT.

    [READ: Livid Chot storms out of Big Dome after loss]

    Calvin Abueva also had a stellar night, producing 15 of his 25 points in the fourth period despite nursing five fouls as he led Magnolia back from a 60-47 deficit in the third quarter.

    Magnolia played the final minutes without import Nick Rakocevic, who got hurt in a freak accident when Jackson Corpuz fell on his right knee while being defended by Roger Pogoy, who was called for a technical foul for a push.

    The Hotshots win also spoiled an impressive debut for TNT reinforcement Cameron Oliver, who lit up for 43 points and 17 rebounds in the defeat.

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      Rakocevic had 22 points and 15 rebounds while Lee added 16 points for Magnolia.

      Roger Pogoy scored 23 points for TNT, which played shorthanded without Jayson Castro, Mikey Williams, Glenn Khobuntin, Brian Heruela, and Raul Soyud due to injuries, and Poy Erram due to a one-game suspension.

      Calvin Oftana scored 12 points in his TNT debut after he was traded from NLEX during the conference break.

      The scores:

      Magnolia 94 – Abueva 25, Rakocevic 22, Lee 16, Barroca 13, Dionisio 9, Corpuz 5, Mendoza 3, Wong 1, Reavis 0, Jalalon 0, Zaldivar 0.

      TNT 92 – Oliver 43, Pogoy 23, Oftana 12, Montalbo 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Alejandro 3, Marcelo 3, Cruz 0, Tungcab 0, K. Williams 0.

      Quarters: 26-29; 42-54; 62-73; 94-92.

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      PHOTO: Jerome Ascano
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