MAGNOLIA just won't roll over and die.
Staying out of foul trouble this time, the Hotshots got off to a fast start and then turned back a searing TNT comeback in the stretch to take Game 5 on Friday, 105-97, and stay alive in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
Magnolia vs TNT Game 5 recap
Mark Barroca made up for a five-point outing the last time by scoring 25 points and presiding over a huge first half by the Hotshots that gave them a good enough cushion and offset the Tropang Giga's fourth-quarter rally.
The Hotshots still trail the best-of-seven series, 3-2, with Game 6 set Sunday also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"We lived for another day pero wala kaming dapat i-celebrate kasi we're still down in the series," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
Barroca already had 16 points in the first half, when the Hotshots raced to a 51-35 lead.
Ian Sangalang had nine of his 16 points during that stretch as the Magnolia big man managed to stay out of foul trouble this time to finish with seven rebounds.
Calvin Abueva also kept his emotions in check to add a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
"We did a good job on defense. Sabi ko nga wala naman kaming babaguhin sa depensa namin, and we did a good job of sustaining that defense for 48 minutes," said Victolero, who rued the early foul trouble on his key players cost the Hotshots Games 3 and 4, respectively.
"We limit our fouls. We played physical but nasa game naman yung nilalaro namin," he added. "We just have to give credit to all the players, you know our backs are against the wall, do-or-die, pero yung mental toughness (nila) nandoon."
Jayson Castro led all TNT scorers with 18 points, Troy Rosario had 17, and Poy Erram with 16 and nine rebounds.
Sophomore hotshot Mikey Williams was held to just 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting from the floor, including 1-of-9 from three-point range.
He was likewise scoreless in the fourth period.
Yet, the Tropang Giga managed to close in at 95-92 on a Glenn Khobuntin three-pointer with 3:59 to play.
But Barroca and Paul Lee connived in an 8-2 Magnolia run to stretch the lead at 103-94 entering the final two minutes.
The scores
Magnolia (105) -- Barroca 25, Abueva 16, Lee 16, Sangalang 16, Jalalon 15, Dionisio 10, Dela Rosa 3, Reavis 2, Escoto 2, Wong 0.
TNT (97) -- Castro 18, Rosario 17, Erram 16, M.Williams 13, Pogoy 13, Khobuntin 12, K.Williams 6, Montalbo 2, Reyes 0, Ganuelas-Rosser.
Quarterscores: 28-26; 59-45; 81-73; 105-97.
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