MANILA, Philippines – Paul Lee came through when it mattered most for the Magnolia Hotshots as they returned to their winning ways in the PBA Philippine Cup following a 106-97 victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur on Saturday, May 24.
Lee unloaded 10 of his 16 points midway through the final frame to help the Hotshots turn an 83-85 deficit at the 8:15 mark of the quarter into a 100-88 cushion with 4:51 to play as they bounced back big after suffering their first loss of the conference last Sunday, May 18, at the hands of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
With the win, Magnolia improved its record to 7-1, becoming the first team to clinch a quarterfinal spot in the season-ending conference.
It was a total team effort for the Hotshots as five more players scored in twin-digits, with Zavier Lucero dropping a team-high 20 points.
Mark Barroca backstopped Lucero and Lee with 15 points, while Peter Alfaro and Jerom Lastimosa added 13 and 10 markers, respectively.
Aris Dionisio — who knocked down back-to-back three-pointers late in the fourth to put NorthPort away for good — also scored 10 points for Magnolia.
On the other side, Will Navarro saw his huge double-double outing of 27 points and 13 rebounds go to waste as NorthPort absorbed its fifth straight loss for a 1-6 card.
Sidney Onwubere supported Navarro in the losing cause with a near double-double of 19 points and 9 rebounds as they continued to play without their injured star Arvin Tolentino.
The Scores
Magnolia 106 – Lucero 20, Lee 16, Barroca 15, Alfaro 13, Lastimosa 10, Dionisio 10, Abueva 8, Sangalang 7, Dela Rosa 5, Eriobu 2, Mendoza 0, Escoto 0, Ahanmisi 0.
NorthPort 97 – Navarro 27, Onwubere 19, Jalalon 16, Munzon 14, Kwekuteye 9, Nelle 7, Yu 3, Flores 2, Cuntapay 0, Bulanadi 0.
Quarters: 32-27, 51-53, 74-75, 106-97.
– Rappler.com