Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Paul Lee stops TNT rally as Magnolia punches QF ticket


Magnolia withstood TNT’s late-game rally, 100-93, to formally enter the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals Saturday at University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City.

Paul Lee sank his freebies with 39.5 seconds left to play to widen the Hotshots’ lead to 100-91 and to silence the KaTropa, who inched within seven, 91-98, after going down by 23 points.

Magnolia finished the eliminations with a 6-5 win-loss record and will head into the quarters as the sixth seed.

“I think, right now, we’re at number six. We’re waiting for kung sinuman makakalaban namin. I think we’re ready. This was a big win for us,” said coach Chito Victolero postgame.

Romeo Travis led the Hotshots with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Lee and Chris Banchero added 13 markers each.

Magnolia managed to exorcise the ghost of its 86-85 defeat to league leaders NLEX Road Warriors last November 10 at Ynares Center in Antipolo, where it blew a huge 26-point advantage.

“Yung last game namin masakit. Kaya itong win na ‘to, maganda para sa amin,” Victolero expressed.

The Hotshots appeared to be on their way from cruising to the victory when they posted a 92-69 lead following Travis’ perfect trip to the charity stripe with 7:04 to go in the final frame.

But the KaTropa willed themselves back into the game behind KJ McDaniels, and his three-point play conversion sliced the deficit to just seven, 91-98, with 53.6 seconds on the game clock.

Lee, though, coolly drained his free throws seconds later to stretch Magnolia’s lead. TNT tried one last time to stage a rally but Roger Pogoy’s triple from the corner missed its target.

#ReadMore  Kiefer Ravena delivers in end-game, gives NLEX 1-0 lead over Magnolia

Almond Vosotros managed to punch in one more bucket for the KaTropa afterwards but time was not enough anymore, and the only thing his jumper did was to settle the final count.

“We played good defense. Our gameplan was to limit them below one hundred points,” Victolero said.

McDaniels had 33 points and 15 rebounds to lead TNT, who lost its third straight after a 7-0 start in the tilt.

Ray Parks had 21 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Pogoy added 13 markers in the defeat.

The KaTropa will look to snap out of their funk — and prevent going out of the Top Four — versus San Miguel Beermen at the last elimination playdate on Wednesday, November 20, at Ynares Center.

The Scores:

Magnolia 100 – Travis 21, Banchero 13, Lee 13, Barroca 9, Jalalon 9, Ramos 8, Reavis 7, Pingris 6, Dela Rosa 6, Sangalang 5, Simon 3, Abundo 0.

TNT 93 – McDaniels 33, Parks 21, Pogoy 13, Vosotros 7, Rosario 6, Reyes 4, Digregorio 3, De Leon 2, Williams 2, Washington 2, Taha 0, Semerad 0, Magat 0.

Quarterscores: 27-22, 56-41, 79-62, 100-93.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

In just September of last year, Roger Pogoy faced a career-threatening ordeal after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition. Fourteen months later, the...

Basketball

TNT completed its back-to-back bid in the PBA Governors’ Cup following a dramatic 95-85 come-from-behind win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 6 of the...

Basketball

TNT moved one win away from defending its PBA Governors’ Cup kingship following a 99-72 decimation of Barangay Ginebra to build a 3-2 lead...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO — Jayson Castro proved pivotal yet again as TNT methodically tore apart Barangay Ginebra, 104-88, to draw first blood in the PBA Season...

Basketball

Ricardo Ratliffe and Magnolia are reuniting, at last. The American bruiser is set to reinforce the Hotshots in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup,...

Basketball

Aaron Fuller came through in the clutch as Rain or Shine eked out a 110-109 win to avoid falling to a precarious position in...

Basketball

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was the stabilizing presence TNT needed to beat Rain or Shine, 90-81, to draw first blood in their PBA Season 49 Governors’...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Andrei Caracut took charge in the endgame as Rain or Shine showed Magnolia the door, 113-103, and advanced to the PBA Season...

Advertisement