Magnolia wins Game 1

By Adrian Stewart Co

The Magnolia Hotshots survived a fourth quarter onslaught from June Mar Fajardo to escape with a 99-94 Game 1 victory over the San Miguel Beermen earlier this week in the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Paul Lee top-scored with 18 points, Ian Sangalang and Andy Mark Barroca each contributed 17, while Jiovani Jalalon added 16.

Trailing early in the first quarter, the Hotshots converted consecutive triples for a 34-25 edge before the Beermen cut it to 34-30 after the first 12 minutes.

The Hotshots then pulled away anew in the second quarter on treys from Lee, Jalalon, and Justin Melton; however, the Beermen answered with a run, surging to a 55-52 lead at the half.

Magnolia opened the third quarter with 10-0 blast from Lee, Barroca, and Sangalang for a 62-55 advantage, which grew to as much as 10 points on triples from Jalalon and Melton.

The Hotshots still held a 91-82 lead early in the fourth when Fajardo brought the Beermen to as close as 95-94 but clutch hits from Sangalang and Lee sealed the win for Magnolia./ASC, WDJ