Magnolia stifles Meralco in OT to enter PBA QF's

Paul Lee sizzled off the bench for the Hotshots. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Magnolia clipped Meralco in the overtime period to score a 97-88 win in their PBA Philippine Cup game on Friday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Despite blowing a late six-point lead in regulation, the Hotshots atoned for it by holding the Bolts without a field the entire extra five minutes with only free throws from Cliff Hodge and Raymond Almazan the only points they conceded.

Paul Lee led Magnolia, which scored its fifth straight win and officially clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with a 6-3 record, with 21 points and four rebounds off the bench.

Mark Barroca added 20 points, two rebounds, six assists, and five steals.

Chris Newsome tallied 24 points, four rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block for Meralco, but he was dearly missed in the final 51 seconds of the game as he was ejected after incurring two technical fouls.

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