PBA: Hotshots near twice-to-beat, down Beermen behind hot Lee

 

Paul Lee erupted in time as Magnolia aims for the Quarterfinal bonus in Pampanga. PBA Media Bureau

By Ricky Manliguis

MANILA-- Magnolia zeroed in on a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals, leaning on the hot Paul Lee in pulling off a 100-90 win over San Miguel in the second offering of the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga. 

Lee exploded for 32 points, 18 in the fourth quarter, as the Hotshots broke free from the Beermen in a tightly-contested match to finish its campaign with an 8-3 win-loss card. 

But they will have to wait for Meralco's results from its two remaining games to know its fortunes in the next round. 

The Beermen threatened in the final canto, only trailing 81-83 after Marcio Lassiter fired a three-pointer with 6:37 left in the game. 

From there, Lee took over. He drilled 14 consecutive points, punctuated by his fade-away jumper for a 97-84 bubble in the 2:40 mark, and went on from there. 

The former UE Red Warrior finished with 9-of-15 from the field while collecting five assists, four rebounds, and a steal in 27 minutes of action. 

Ian Sangalang added 15 markers and 12 rebounds for Magnolia, while rookie Jerrick Ahanmisi notched 11.

“Now, we just wait. Nagawa namin ‘yung trabaho namin," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

" Nagawa namin ‘yung kung ano ang dapat naming gawin. Kung destiny namin na ibigay ni Lord ang mapunta sa top two spot, so be it."

San Miguel fell to 6-4 and bow out of contention for a top four spot. CJ Perez led the charge with 20 points, Arwind Santos got 18, while Mario Massiter and Von Pessumal both had 13. 

The Scores :

MAGNOLIA 100 – Lee 32, Sangalang 15, Ahanmisi 11, Barroca 9, Dionisio 8, Abueva 8, Pascual 7, Reavis 4, Corpuz 4, Jalalon 2, Dela Rosa 0, De Leon 0

SAN MIGUEL 90 – Perez 20, Santos 18, Lassiter 13, Pessumal 13, Zamar 9, Fajardo 8, Tautuaa 5, Ross 4, Comboy 0, Sena 0, Gotladera 0, Gamalinda 0

Quarterscores: 25-14, 47-39, 66-65, 100-90

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