MAGNOLIA weathered a late Phoenix Super LPG storm to come away with a 82-78 win in Game Two on Friday and move a win away from the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup Finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena
Tyler Bey made his presence in the clutch with the go-ahead lay-up with 1:22 left, helping Magnolia regain the lead it momentarily lost after a furious Phoenix run threatened to tie the best-of-five series at 1-1.
Paul Lee nailed a three from near the logo after a Phoenix turnover with 55.4 seconds remaining to cap a 10-0 Magnolia run, increasing the gap to five, essentially clinching the win and the 2-0 lead for the Hotshots.
The late heroics preserved the win for the Hotshots, who led by as much as 16 points but had to scramble late to get the win.
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Magnolia can complete a sweep and reach the finals for the first time since the Bacolor bubble in 2021 with another win on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Hotshots' last league title came in the 2018 Governors' Cup.
Bey had 25 points and 12 rebounds, but his lone assist of the game was also huge, setting up James Laput for a three-point play to force a deadlock after Magnolia allowed Phoenix to take its first lead of the game, 76-71.
The win wasn’t exactly pleasing to the eyes of Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, especially after seeing his team lose an early 30-14 lead.
“Actually, we were outhustled and outworked by Phoenix in the first 44 minutes. I think we raised our energy, aggressiveness, and effort on the last four minutes of the game,” said Victolero.
“It’s an ugly win but we will take it,” said Victolero.
Lee atoned for his poor shooting night by hitting that three to close the match on a 2-of-9 shooting clip, with his only conversions coming from beyond the arc.
Johnathan Williams had 27 points and 16 rebounds, while Jason Perkins had 17 points including back-to-back baskets that got Phoenix the lead only to lose it in the end.
The scores:
Magnolia 82 – Bey 25, Jalalon 17, Dela Rosa 9, Abueva 8, Barroca 8, Laput 7, Lee 6, Reavis 2, Sangalang 0, Dionisio 0, Mendoza 0.
Phoenix Super LPG 78 – Williams 27, Perkins 17, Tuffin 10, Mocon 7, Jazul 6, Tio 5, Soyud 3, Rivero 2, Manganti 1, Lalata 0, Garcia 0, Alejandro 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0.
Quarters: 30-14; 43-34; 62-60; 82-78.
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