CLINT Chapman scored 42 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as Magnolia survived Bol Bol's 53 points to turn back TNT, 106-94, on Tuesday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Hotshots improved to to 6-5 (win-loss) following their second straight win, putting one foot inside the playoffs door while boosting their bid for a higher seed in the crossover matches in the quarterfinals.
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Magnolia are now in joint sixth with TNT and holding the tiebreaker edge, with Terrafirma (4-6) the only team capable of denying the Hotshots and the Tropang 5G a place in the eight-team playoffs.
Magnolia got off to a strong start, and ended the first quarter with a 35-15 lead, the biggest of the contest, and bravely held on to the lead despite repeated threats by TNT in the second half.
Chapman also had 14 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks including a dunk over Henry Galinato that started a 7-0 blast after Magnolia's lead dwindled to two, 74-72.
It turned out to be the run that the Hotshots needed to clinch another win against a traditional title contender in TNT following its win over San Miguel a few weeks ago.
“I've been really praying for us to catch an elite team. We haven't been playing and beating big teams so I motivated the team, and I want to give credit not only to Clint,” said Magnolia coach LA Tenorio.
“More than Clint, he did his part but I need to give credit to the whole team especially the coaching staff for the game plan that we had I think this is the first time that we really executed our game plan until the final buzzer,” said Tenorio.
Magnolia allowed Bol to do his thing, but made sure to contain the locals. Only Calvin Oftana scored in double digits among TNT's locals with 18 points.
Mark Barroca also had a double-double of 15 points and 12 assists, and Zavier Lucero had 13 points, eight rebounds, and one block, which came against Bol.
The scores:
Magnolia 106 – Chapman 42, Barroca 15, Lucero 13, Lastimosa 8, Gomez de Liano 8, Dela Rosa 7, Sangalang 6, Lee 4, Alfaro 3, Andrada 0, Verano 0.
TNT 94 – Bol 53, Oftana 18, Khobuntin 6, Galinato 6, Castro 5, Pogoy 4, Williams 2, Heading 0, Nava 0, Enciso 0, Ferrer 0, Nieto 0, Nambatac 0.
Quarters: 35-15; 59-40; 81-72; 106-94.
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