Hotshots brandish old game, avoid 0-3 hole
Magnolia finally found its groove in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup finals and broke through against TNT, 106-98, to pull within 2-1 of their rivals yesterday in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Seemingly like headless chicken in the first two games, the Hotshots regrouped and brandished the old “Magnolia basketball” to strike back in Game 3 and avoid falling into a 0-3 deficit.
Tightening up on defense, the Hotshots got off to a strong start and for the first time in the race-to-four series, put the Tropang Giga on the backfoot and held control all the way.
Marc Barroca hit a clutch floater and Rome dela Rosa converted four free throws to quell TNT’s late rally and get the Hotshots into the mix in what had been an all-TNT finale.
“Maganda ang depensa namin compared sa first two games,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose team held TNT to its lowest field goal percentage in the series at 40 percent (32-of-79).
“The important thing is to have the proper mindset. Sabi ko sa kanila we’re here in the finals because of our defense. We have to go back to the basics and think about what made us successful in the previous series against Meralco and Rain or Shine.”
The TNT camp rued what it felt was a spotty officiating.
“Worst officiating by far tonight I’ve seen,” TNT honcho Manny V. Pangilinan posted on Twitter after the game.
Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang fired 21 and 20, respectively, as Magnolia hurdled the must-win encounter and spoiled the record outing of TNT rookie sensation Mikey Williams.
Williams’ 39-point outburst was the highest in a PBA finals game by a rookie since Eric Menk’s 42 in Game 3 of the AllFilipino title series and his 10 triples marked a new all-time high as well, resetting Jayson Castro’s old record of nine in Game 2 of the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup Last Dance.
RR Pogoy added 14 for TNT, which suffered a double-whammy as key forward Troy Rosario went out on injury in the third. Rosario sustained a suspected dislocated finger after a bad fall off a dangerous foul from Jackson Corpuz.
The scores: Magnolia 106 – Lee 21, Sangalang 20, Barroca 16, Abueva 14, Jalalon 11, Dela Rosa 9, Corpuz 7, Reavis 5, Ahanmisi 3, Melton 0.
TNT 98 – M. Williams 39, Pogoy 14, Erram 10, Castro 9, Heruela 8, Marcelo 7, K. Williams 4, Reyes 3, Khobuntin 2, Rosario 2, Montalbo 0, Exciminiano 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 26-20, 52-46, 82-77, 106-98