MAGNOLIA came back from the grave and foiled Terrafirma's upset bid in overtime, 121-115, ousting the Dyip in the mad race for the remaining playoffs berth of the PBA Governors' Cup on Saturday night.
The Hotshots battled their way back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force the extra period before Mark Barroca and Calvin Abueva took over to avoid what would have been a monumental upset.
The Hotshots raised their record to 6-4 and kept their bid for a Top 4 finish alive.
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"Talo na nga yun, e," said coach Chito Victolero after the game at the Philsports Arena.
Terrafirma appeared on its way to finally ending its six-season losing streak to Magnolia as it led 107-92 with 4:39 to play after import Jordan Williams waxed hot from the floor.
It still held an eight-point lead going into the last two minutes, but caved in as the Dyip had no answer to the Hotshots' pesky pressure defense.
Import Antonio Hester, playing against his former team, scored the last four points for the Hotshots to tie the game at 110-all and send it to overtime.
Juami Tiongson had a chance to go for a game-winner for Terrafirma but his long heave to beat the buzzer didn't even touch the rim.
"We had a bad game. Hindi talaga kami maka-execute ng maayos on both ends of the floor," admitted Victolero. "But with the heart and will of my players, nagawa naming mapa-overtime. Maganda lang we experienced players and naka-execute kami ng maganda."
Hester carried the Hotshots on his broad shoulders with 15 of his 40 points coming in the fourth period to help Magnolia stay in the game, while also adding 17 rebounds.
Paul Lee and Mark Barroca each had 16, while Calvin Abueva also finished with 16 along with 17 rebounds.
Williams led the Dyip with 45 points, including nine straight during one stretch of the fourth quarter when Terrafirma appeared ready to pull away.
Tiongson added 19 and big man Eric Camson had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Dyip, who bowed out of contention for a playoffs berth with their sixth straight loss for a 2-8 record.
The scores
Magnolia (121) - Hester 40, Lee 16, Abueva 16, Barroca 15, Jalalon 13, Dionisio 8, Wong 6, Dela Rosa 3, Corpuz 3, Escoto 0, Reavis 0, Laput 0, Mendoza 0.
Terrafirma (115) - J.Williams 45, Tiongson 19, Camson 11, Cabagnot 10, Ferrer 8, Daquioag 7, Cahilig 5, Gabayni 4, Alolino 2, Calvo 2, Ramos 0.
Quarterscores: 28-26; 51-50; 74-85; 110-110 (reg); 121-115.
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