Clint Chapman was the savior Magnolia needed to avert disaster and come away with the 95-89 victory over Meralco to force a knockout match in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals, Wednesday night.
The American big man finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds in an outing highlighted by the tie-breaking triple for the 87-84 lead with 2:37 left, which gave them control again — and for good, after blowing a 19-point advantage.
The trio of locals would come through afterwards. Zav Lucero, Jerom Lastimosa, and Paul Lee are delivering the final touches to keep their conference alive and continue what’s been a remarkable turnaround thus far.
Coach LA Tenorio and his men have now won their fourth straight, dating back to the latter part of the eliminations. They will look to keep steamrolling in the sudden death this Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
(C) PBA Images
“I have to give credit again to the players for responding to my challenge in today’s game,” he said. “Chinallenge ko talaga sila that we’re really playing a great team, a very well-coached team, a very systematic team.
“I should know, because I always play against this team in the playoffs. I know how they play in the playoffs, with the vets that they have right now. So I have to give credit to the players,” the former star turned mentor added.
(C) PBA Images
Lastimosa led the locals with 17 points. Rome Dela Rosa made 11 points, while Ian Sangalang chipped in 10 markers in a performance that saw him bang bodies — and convert — against opposing reinforcement Marvin Jones.
It was another tough outing for Jones, who went just 3-for-15 from the floor and had just 16 points — that, after making just 14 on eight shots the last time out.
Leading Meralco instead was Chris Newsome with 23 points, including 11 in the final period as he bannered their fightback that even saw them take the lead.
He was responsible for giving them the 84-83 lead with 3:26 to play, but Lastimosa tied things up, and then came Chapman’s huge three.
Bong Quinto added 10 points for the no. 4 seed, who’s hoping to get the job done on Saturday to reach the semis for the second straight time.
The Scores:
Magnolia 95 – Chapman 21, Lastimosa 17, Dela Rosa 11, Sangalang 10, Barroca 9, Gomez De Liano 9,Lucero 9, Lee 9, Alfaro 0, Verano 0, Andrada 0.
Meralco 89 – Newsome 23, Jones 16, Quinto 10, Black 9, Mocon 8, Cansino 7, Banchero 6, Brickman 5, Hodge 3, Bates 2.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 50-40, 73-57, 95-89.
