By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Paul Lee got his shots to fall when it mattered the most as Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots prevailed over sister team San Miguel Beermen, 85-80, in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday night, November 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Clinging to a slim 77-76 lead with less than a minute left, Lee converted an outside shot to widen the Hotshots’ lead to 80-76. He then followed this with another trifecta from way out for an 83-76 upperhand with 54 seconds left.
The Beermen rallied to within 80-83 on back-to-back conversions by Vic Manuel and Jaymar Perez with 28 seconds remaining before Lee wrapped up the win for the Hotshots with two free throws.
“I just let it fly, and luckily pumasok and it gave us the cushion,” Lee said of his three-point bombs. “We shared the ball, kaya nakakuha ng open shots and baskets from drop passes,” he added.
Lee finished the contest with 14 points, with nine coming in the fourth quarter, to go with three rebounds and two assists as the Hotshots formalized their quarterfinals entry with its league-leading 8-1 win-loss slate.
Nicholas Rakocevic led the Hotshots with double-double 26 points and 28 rebounds to go with three steals, Ian Sangalang had double-double 12 points and 14 rebounds, as Andy Mark Barroca also finished with 12 markers.
“In terms of where the coach wants us to be at the moment, we are getting there. At present, we will be number one defensively in terms of points allowed. And that’s been the target since the start of the year,” Magnolia assistant coach Jason Webb said.
Devon Scott tallied 19 points, 17 rebounds and five assists, while Perez, Manuel and Marcio Lassiter contributed 16 markers apiece as the Beermen slumped to a 3-5 win-loss record.
MAGNOLIA 85 — Rakocevic 26, Lee 14, Sangalang 12, Barroca 12, Jalalon 6, Abueva 5, Wong 4, Dela Rosa 2, Corpuz 2, Ahanmisi 2, Laput 0, Dionisio 0.
SAN MIGUEL 80 — Scott 19, Lassiter 16, Manuel 16, Perez 16, Tautuaa 6, Ross 3, Brondial 2, Herndon 2, Enciso 0, Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 23-25, 37-37, 65-60, 85-80./ASC, WDJ