PAUL Lee broke free in the opening half and carried Magnolia to a runaway 121-101 victory over Meralco in the PBA On Tour Sunday
Lee exploded for 22 points in the first half to set the tone of the lopsided victory, the seventh straight in as many games in the preseason for the Hotshots.
The veteran shooting guard finished with a game-high 28 points, spiked by a 7-of-9 shooting from three-point range.
Jio Jalalon added 18 points and six assists, while James Laput had another double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
"We want to improve and yung improvement na yan, madadala namin sa regular season," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero. "Right now, maganda kasi nananalo kami. But we have to put into our heads na madami pa kaming dapat gawin at madami pa kaming dapat i-improve sa sistema namin."
The Hotshots led by as many as 110-87 in the fourth quarter.
The undermanned Meralco side was led by the 22 of Diego Dario, who had to play extended minutes at the point as the team lost starting playmaker Anjo Caram to injury (hamstring) the last time,
Dario finished 6-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Despite problems with manpower, the Bolts rallied back from a 44-26 second quarter deficit to threaten at 73-69 with three minutes left in the third quarter.
But the Hotshots strung together a 15-1 run to finish the period at 88-70.
Bong Quinto had 14 points, nine rebounds, and five assists for the Bolts, whose record now stands at 4-3.
The scores
Magnolia (121) - Lee 28, Jalalon 18, Laput 14, Barroca 12, Ahanmisi 11, Eriobu 11, Tratter 8, Murrell 6, Mendoza 6, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 3,
Meralco (101) - Dario 22, Quinto 14, Hodge 13, Johnson 13, Torres 12, Almazan 10, Maliksi 8, Pascual 7, Jose 2, Pasaol 0.
Quarterscores: 27-18; 59-45; 88-70; 121-101.
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.
