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| Zav Lucero sealed Magnolia's win with clutch free throws. PBA Images |
MANILA—Magnolia survived a late rally from TNT to seal a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals through an 88-83 win on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Hotshots looked to be pulling away after opening an 83-72 lead with 4:24 left in the game, but the Tropang 5G went on a 7-0 run to cut the gap down to four, 83-79, with 30 seconds to go.
Mark Barroca kept the door open for TNT as he split his free throws off a Simon Enciso foul, but Jordan Heading missed a four-point attempt at the other end.
Zav Lucero iced the game for Magnolia with four straight free throws that essentially canceled out RR Pogoy's four-pointer in between the charities.
Lucero led Magnolia, which tied NLEX at the top of the standings at 8-3, with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, eight rebounds, five assists, one block, and three steals.
William Navarro finally got better numbers for the Hotshots as he added 13 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
With the Road Warriors holding the tiebreaker, the Hotshots may not be able to clinch the top seed, but can seal the second seed if the NorthPort Batang Pier and Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters win the last pair of elimination round games on Sunday night at the Ynares Center 1 in Antipolo.
A win by either San Miguel or Ginebra will give Magnolia the third seed.
RR Pogoy led TNT, which dropped to 6-5, with 18 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
The Tropang 5G must now need to win twice in the quarterfinals to keep its grand slam hopes alive, but they can finish as the sixth seeds if the Gin Kings beat the Elasto Painters on Sunday night.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 88 – Lucero 24, Navarro 13, Barroca 11, Sangalang 9, Dela Rosa 7, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Lastimosa 6, Reavis 4, Laput 0, Alfaro 0
TNT 83 – Oftana 18, Pogoy 15, Erram 12, Heading 12, Williams 10, Khobuntin 7, Aurin 7, Galinato 2, Enciso 0, Variila 0, Vosotros 0, Heruela 0
QUARTERS: 21-23, 49-43, 69-66, 88-83
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