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| Clint Chapman made a good account of himself in his PBA debut. Peter Baltazar |
QUEZON CITY--New reinforcement Clint Chapman turned out to be the one Magnolia needed to finally notch a win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
Chapman dominated for the Hotshots in a 121-109 win against the Macau Black Knights on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-10 big man, who came on to replace Nuni Omot, led Magnolia with 39 points on 15-of-26 shooting and 15 rebounds as he led the team's breakaway in the third quarter to open an 84-68 lead entering the fourth.
Macau, now coached by former ABL star Marcus Elliott, still put up a fight in the fourth quarter, forcing a 94-all tie with 5:37 left.
However, three-point plays from Zav Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa gave the Hotshots the lead for good.
Lucero added 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting, nine rebounds, three assists, five blocks, and four steals, while Lastimosa put up 20 points, going 8-for-8 inside the three-point arc, four rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block as Magnolia finally won after a 0-3 start.
Lao Chon Pong had 24 points and two rebounds, Tony Mitchell added 22 points, 14 rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and one steal, and Damian Chongqui contributed 20 points, four rebounds, and 10 assists for Macau, which remained winless at 0-4.
