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| Mark Barroca's efforts finally bore fruit for Magnolia. PBA Images |
MANILA—Magnolia finally broke through the win column in the PBA Commissioner's Cup after pipping San Miguel, 88-80, in Game 3 of their championship series on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Needing the victory to keep their hopes of getting a silverware alive, the Hotshots turned to their patented defense to beat the Beermen, holding them to exactly 80 points after conceding more than 100 points in each of the first two games, both ending up in losses.
Mark Barroca led Magnolia, which cut SMB's lead in the best-of-seven affair to 2-1, with 20 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Paul Lee, who struggled in the first two games, fared better this time with 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists in a clash where both imports struggled.
Tyler Bey only tallied 11 points on 5-for-14 shooting, six rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal for the Hotshots.
On the other hand, while Bennie Boatwright still led the Beermen in scoring with 27 markers, he was 10-of-28 from the field and committed eight turnovers, although he too had 13 rebounds, one assist, and three steals.
June Mar Fajardo had a more quiet outing with 11 points and was also turnover-prone with four errors, although he also grabbed 13 boards along with one dime and four blocks.
SMB played without Jericho Cruz, who served a one-game suspension for accumulating five technical fouls this conference.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 88 –Barroca 20, Lee 12, Bey 11, Sangalang 11, Dionisio 11, Jalalon 10, Dela Rosa 7, Abueva 6, Escoto 0, Laput 0, Reavis 0
SAN MIGUEL 80 – Boatwright 27, Perez 16, Fajardo 11, Teng 10, Trollano 7, Lassiter 4, Brondial 3, Ross 2, Enciso 0, Tautuaa 0
QUARTERS: 24-15, 42-39, 63-58, 88-80
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