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.
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.
