Paul Lee stood out in the endgame as Magnolia came from behind and stunned NLEX, 103-100, for its first win in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, Wednesday night at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Pampanga.
The gunslinging guard converted on a rare four-point play to give his side a 101-100 lead with 32.5 seconds left to play, which proved to be the exclamation point to the Hotshots’ comeback from a 22-point third quarter deficit.
Lee finished with 18 points built on four triples in the thrilling victory that got Magnolia into the win column after suffering a 78-94 loss in the hands of defending five-time champs San Miguel in the season opener last March 8.
“Paul Lee is Paul Lee,” said head coach Chito Victolero post-game. “Medyo malas-malas lang ng konti but in the end, he will take that shot. And I knew since naman dati pa, ibibigay namin yung aming last shot either kay Paul, Mark [Barroca], o Ian [Sangalang]. But now, I gave it to Paul, and thank you. Of course, thank you rin sa Itaas for the W.”
Jio Jalalon and Chris Banchero were on the forefront of the Hotshots’ attack with 19 points apiece, while Mark Barroca added 13 markers as Magnolia’s impressive guard play was on vivid display in their first game in the bubble.
Jalalon scored 12 of his points in the third chapter, where he joined forces with Banchero and Barroca to ignite Magnolia’s overwhelming 22-5 spree that turned a 48-70 deficit to just five, 70-75, to set up the comeback.
The Road Warriors were able to provide counters to their foes’ hits, until Barroca scored through a runner to cap off an 8-0 run that gave the Hotshots their first lead of the game at 82-80 with 8:40 remaining.
Magnolia then sustained momentum since, and even erected a 93-86 lead following a Jackson Corpuz bucket with 5:05 remaining. But NLEX just would not go down without a fight and made a last-ditch effort.
The Road Warriors slowly chipped away the deficit. Kiefer Ravena tried to overcome exhaustion and sank a turnaround jumper, before Mike Ayonayon split his freebies to give NLEX a 100-97 lead with 40.7 seconds to go.
That, until Lee came up big in the clutch, sinking a three-pointer off a Tony Semerad foul before coolly sinking the bonus free throw to complete the four-point play, which lifted Magnolia to a one-point lead.
Ravena did his best to save his side, but his jumper with 22 seconds to go missed. Barroca sank his freebies moments later to make it a three-point game, and anoher Ravena miss sealed the win for Magnolia.
“It was a total team effort and I’m very happy, I’m very proud of my players. Coming from 22 points down, nakabalik kami,” said Victolero. “We will learn from this experience.”
Ravena led NLEX with a game-high 27 points on 9-of-19 shooting in the defeat that sent the Road Warriors to a 0-2 hole.
Kevin Alas supplied 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Jericho Cruz provided 17 points and five boards against six turnovers, while veteran big man JR Quinahan provided 16 points and eight carms.
The Road Warriors actually lost those three and Semerad in the game. Quinahan, Alas, and Semerad all fouled out, while Cruz fell down with an apparent ankle injury after landing on Corpuz with 2:56 left to play.
It marked the second straight time that Quinahan had a premature exit. He was ejected in their season debut against Barangay Ginebra last Sunday, as he garnered a technical foul after a flagrant foul earlier in that match.
Both squads will see action this Saturday, Oct. 17. Magnolia will look to get going versus the 0-2 Alaska Aces at 6:45 p.m., while NLEX aims for its first win against the Blackwater Elite (1-0) at 4 p.m.
The Scores:
Magnolia (103) – Banchero 19, Jalalon 19, Lee 18, Barroca 13, Sangalang 9, Corpuz 9, Dionisio 8, Reavis 4, Dela Rosa 4, Melton 0, Calisaan 0.
NLEX (100) – Ravena 27, Alas 18, Cruz 17, Quiñahan 16, Porter 5, Semerad 5, Ayonayon 5, Soyud 4, Ighalo 3, Miranda 0, Varilla 0, Galanza 0, Taulava 0.
Quarterscores: 23-23, 39-50, 70-78, 103-100.
