MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia pulled the rug on Phoenix, 97-91, to march to their fourth straight victory in five outings in the PBA’s Philippine Cup, Saturday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The Hotshots doused the Fuel Master’s eight-point lead to turn the tide just as the game wound down.
Ian Sangalang dealt the gut punches as the tussle entered the final minute. Paul Lee, who had been steady in Magnolia’s past outings, once more delivered the finishing touches. He made four of the Hotshots’ final six points just as Phoenix was trying to retake the lead.
"It was all mental toughness in the end. It's about our perseverance and our desire to win and our chemistry sa dulo,” Magnolia mentor Chito Victolero said.
"We know in this game, medyo mabigat talaga to kasi I know Phoenix will bounce back coming from a tough loss sa last game nila. Credit to the players, hindi sila naggive-up sa pressure,” he closed.
The victory sends Magnolia firmly latched on the second spot of the all-Filipino conference. They lag behind the San Miguel Beermen, who are currently unscathed in the tournament.
Phoenix, reeling from a second-straight loss, joins NLEX in the lower half of the ladder with identical 2-3 records.
The scores:
Magnolia 97 - Lee 20, Dela Rosa 17, Sangalang 16, Barroca 12, Reavis 11, Simon 6, Jalalon 5, Pingris 4, Ramos 3, Pascual 2, Herndon 1, Melton 0.
Phoenix 91 - Alolino 19, Wright 17, Chan 12, Jazul 9, Eriobu 8, Chua 7, Mendoza 6, Kramer 6, Intal 3, Revilla 2, Perkins 2, Wilson 0, Dehesa 0.
Quarters: 30-23, 47-45, 67-75, 97-91.
