By Adrian Stewart Co

Ian Sangalang came up with huge baskets in the endgame as Magnolia Hotshots prevailed over Alaska Aces, 84-82, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Trailing 80-82 after a three-pointer by Aces’ Robbie Herndon, Sangalang scored on an inside hit to tie the count at 82-all. He later scored another basket at the buzzer to surge the Hotshots to victory.

Sangalang finished the match with 26 points, five rebounds and two blocks, while Paul Lee chipped in 16 markers, with half coming in the fourth quarter, as the Hotshots tied Meralco Bolts and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with 2-0 win-loss slate.

Rome dela Rosa and Andy Mark Barroca added 12 and 10 points, respectively, while Calvin Abueva hauled 10 rebounds to go with nine points in his second game with the Hotshots.

“Sa start pa lang, sinabi ko na this is not an easy game. We only had one-week preparation. We need to adjust right away. But no excuses na nagpalit ang kalaban,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

Both teams were into tight exchange for most part of the game with the score tied at 68-all before the Hotshots surged to a 78-72 lead on consecutive hits from Abueva, Dela Rosa and Lee midway in the fourth quarter.

The Aces responded with successive baskets from Robbie Herndon and Yousef Taha to regain the lead at 82-80 before Sangalang came up with his big plays for the Hotshots.

Taha finished with career-high 20 points to go with 10 rebounds, while Jeron Teng and Abu Tratter chipped in 10 markers apiece as the Aces suffered its first loss in two matches.

BOX SCORE:

MAGNOLIA 84 – Sangalang 26, Lee 15, Dela Rosa 12, Barroca 10, Abueva 9, Dionisio 5, Jalalon 4, Corpuz 2, Reavis 0, Ahanmisi 0.

ALASKA 82 – Taha 20, Tratter 10, Teng 10, Banal 9, Herndon 8, Casio 7, DiGregorio 6, Adamos 6, Ahanmisi 3, Brondial 3, Browne 0.

Quarterscores: 26-25; 41-47; 65-66; 84-82.