MAGNOLIA extended its PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup campaign on Wednesday night, beating Meralco for the second time in three days, 95-89, in their quarterfinal match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Hotshots blew a 19-point lead after seeing the Bolts momentarily take an 84-83 lead, but regrouped in time behind Jerom Lastimosa, Clint Chapman and Zavier Lucero to live to fight another day.
READ Trillo-Webb spat was over 'too many' Meralco coaches on sidelines
The Hotshots have now won four in a row including their final elimination-round game against Meralco just last Sunday, setting a stage for a do-or-die match against the fourth-seeded and twice-to-beat Bolts.
That knockout game will be played on Saturday in Antipolo City.
Chapman buried a three after a Lastimosa free throw to make it an 87-84 lead. Lastimosa then scored on a lay-up with 1:02 left to for a 91-86 lead - a gap enough that proved enough to stand until the final buzzer.
“I have to give credit to the players for responding to my challenges,” said LA Tenorio, who moved one win away from his maiden semifinal appearance as a Magnolia coach.
“Chinallenge ko talaga sila na we are playing a great team, very systematic team. I should know because I always play them in the playoffs,” said Tenorio, referring to the times when he went against Meralco when he was still playing for Barangay Ginebra.
Ian Sangalang helped Magnolia build a large lead by scoring eight of his 10 points in the third quarter to put the Hotshots up, 66-47.
Chris Newsome led the Bolts' comeback bid, scoring 11 of his 23 points in the final period, but Meralco's 39.7 percent shooting got them into a big hole.
The scores:
Magnolia 95 – Chapman 21, Lastimosa 17, Dela Rosa 11, Sangalang 10, Lee 9, Barroca 9, Lucero 9, Gomez de Liano 9, Alfaro 0, Verano 0, Andrada 0.
Meralco 89 – Newsome 23, Jones 16, Quinto 10, Black 9, Mocon 8, Cansino 7, Banchero 6, Brickman 5, Hodge 3, Bates 2.
Quarters: 24-22; 50-40; 73-57; 95-89.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
