PBA: Shabazz Muhammad scores game-winner as Magnolia spoils Terrafirma upset bid

Zav Lucero showed his grit inside. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Hounded by foul trouble early on, Shabazz Muhammad was not as stellar as he was two years ago in his PBA comeback.

However, come crunch time, the former NBA first-round pick made sure he would be duly recognized.

Muhammad hit the game-winning shot as Magnolia survived a gigantic upset bid from Terrafirma with a 99-98 win in their PBA Governors' Cup second-round meeting on Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Muhammad hit a runner off the tough defense of Andreas Cahilig with 8.1 seconds left to put the Hotshots ahead, spoiling Paolo Hernandez's three-pointer in the previous that gave the Dyip the lead and a chance to end an eight-year head-to-head winning drought.

Stanley Pringle to go for the win by himself, but he fumbled the ball while trying to attempt a jumper and Kevin Ferrer's desperation three only hit the backboard as time expired.

Muhammad led Magnolia, which has now won 19 straight games against Terrafirma, with 20 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal

Zav Lucero added 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, five rebounds, and three blocks as the Hotshots moved up to 4-3, creating some separation from the NorthPort Batang Pier and Converge FiberXers for at least the third seed in Group A.

Antonio Hester's monster stat line of 39 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists went for naught as the Dyip dropped to 0-7, virtually eliminating them from playoff contention.

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