PAUL Lee sank a jumper with 33.4 seconds left in the fourth as Magnolia nipped San Miguel, 109-108, on Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Lee finished with 28 points but none bigger than the corner jumper from the right wing he hit to put the Hotshots ahead.
The Beermen had three looks at the basket in the final possession but they failed to convert, with Ian Sangalang blocking Alex Cabagnot’s final shot to win the game.
With the win, Magnolia gained a share of the lead with Blackwater in second place with a 4-1 win-loss card to spoil the 37-point debut of San Miguel import Kevin Murphy.
The Beermen now have fallen to 2-3, losing back-to-back games even with the return of Marcio Lassiter after suffering from sore eyes.
“It’s a very nice win for the players doon sa kanilang puso, ika-nga ng Gilas,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
Justin Melton hit a three after Magnolia trailed by four points before Lee scored on the following possession by the Hotshots to steal the win from the Beermen.
“Nung nag-time out ako, we just need to execute on both ends, make a stop so that may chance. If we can make a stop, I don’t call a time out and we have a chance to win the game,” said Victolero.
Romeo Travis had 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Sangalang had 16 points and eight rebounds for the Hotshots.
Christian Standhardinger had 27 points and 16 rebounds but missed a putback in the final seconds that would have given the Beermen the upper hand late in the game. Lassiter had 14 points in his return.
The scores:
MAGNOLIA 109 – Lee 28, Travis 18, Sangalang 16, Melton 12, dela Rosa 10, Barroca 8, Jalalon 5, Simon 3, Ramos 3, Reavis 2, Gamalinda 2, Brondial 2, Mendoza 0.
SMB 108 – Murphy 37, Standhardinger 27, Lassiter 14, Santos 8, Ross 6, Nabong 6, Cabagnot 4, Heruela 3, Pessumal 3, de Ocampo 0.
Quarters: 29-36; 57-61; 84-88; 109-108.
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