PBA: Magnolia repulses late Converge push for bounce back win

James Laput scores on a dunk. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Magnolia escaped a late attack from Converge for a 105-93 win in their PBA Governors' Cup match on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Holding on to a 97-80 lead with 4:23 left, the Hotshots found themselves only up five, 98-93, with 1:58 left as the FiberXers went on a 13-1 run behind crucial threes from BJ Andrade and Kevin Racal.

However, a putback from Ian Sangalang sparked the game-ending 7-0 run for Magnolia to seal the win.

"We did a good job on the defensive end," said coach Chito Victolero, who added that his team's goal is to hold their opponents to at most 92 points per game, which they somehow did despite Converge's late run.

Paul Lee put up 14 points on a 4-of-6 clip from the field, four rebounds, and seven assists en route to Best Player honors for the Hotshots, who moved to 1-1 after bouncing back from an opening-night loss to the Meralco Bolts.

Tre Robinson led Magnolia with 28 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals as Ian Sangalang and Jerrick Ahanmisi also tallied 14 markers each.

Scotty Hopson put up 26 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal for Converge, which fell to 1-1.

Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno