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Magnolia seals 6th seed, sends NLEX into waiting game

Paul Lee needed a little over 23 minutes for 26 points. Dennis Acosta
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Magnolia locked in the sixth seed in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals with a 102-74 mauling of NLEX in the first game after the All-Star break at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday night.

The Hotshots stuck to their patented defense in the first half, limiting the Road Warriors to just 30 points.

Magnolia then erupted for 31 points in the third quarter to all but seal the rout.

Paul Lee erupted for 26 points, five rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 23 and a half minutes for the Hotshots, who will face third-seeded Barangay Ginebra in the best-of-three quarterfinals.

Mark Barroca added 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists off the bench.

Bong Galanza put up 10 markers, three boards, one steal, and one block for the Road Warriors, who will now need to wait for the result of the second game between the Barangay and the NorthPort Batang Pier to find out if they will enter the quarterfinals outright or not.

The result automatically eliminated Columbian from playoff contention.

The scores:

Magnolia 102 - Lee 26, Ramos 15, Barroca 14, Sangalang 10, Jalalon 8, Herndon 6, Melton 5, Simon 5, Brondial 5, Reavis 2, Gamalinda 2, Pascual 2, Dela Rosa 2, Calisaan 0, Abundo 0.

NLEX 74 - Galanza 10, Ighalo 9, Tallo 8, Quiñahan 8, Erram 7, Rios 6, Paniamogan 6, Varilla 6, Magat 6, Soyud 4, Baguio 2, Lao 2, Tiongson 0, Taulava 0, Paredes 0.

Quarters: 20-16, 46-30, 77-54, 102-74.

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