Tyler Bey outplays Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson as Magnolia beats TNT to enter PBA Comm's Cup semis

Tyler Bey exploded for 41 points to lead Magnolia to the semifinals. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Magnolia booked the first seat in the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals after eliminating TNT, 109-94, in their quarterfinal showdown on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

The Hotshots blasted off in the fourth quarter, dropping 32 points on the Tropang Giga even as the Purefoods franchise held off the PLDT club's comeback late in the period.

Tyler Bey, one of three imports who made the quarterfinals while playing for the entire conference, outplayed Best Import of the Conference frontrunner Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, leading Magnolia with 41 points on 11-of-21 field goals including 3-of-4 from long range and a perfect 16-for-16 free throws, 13 rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and five steals.

Mark Barroca added 17 points on 7-of-13 field goals including 3-of-5 from deep, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals off the bench.

The Hotshots will take a breather over the weekend as the Meralco Bolts forced a rubber match in their own quarterfinal series against the Phoenix Fuel Masters with a triple overtime win earlier Wednesday.

Hollis-Jefferson, whose explosions in his first two games as the replacement for his younger brother Rondae catapulted him to the top spot in the Best Import race, was held to only 27 points, but he came close to a triple-double with 11 assists and nine rebounds alongside three steals and three blocks.

However, Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson committed eight of TNT's 24 turnovers as the team was knocked out of contention after clinching the last quarterfinal spot right on the final game of the eliminations.

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