Magnolia Hotshots levels series; Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings to tap Slaughter?

MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia rallied behind the sidelining of Marc Pingris as the Hotshots leaned on their superior firepower to rip the NLEX Road Warriors, 99-84, and force a 1-1 deadlock in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the MOA Arena in Pasay City last night.

Minus Pingris and another energy source Justin Melton, the Hotshots used a determined, aggressive game spiked by torrents of treys in key stretches in the third and fourth quarters to stop NLEX’s breakthrough run.

Paul Lee bounced back strong from a poor eight-point showing the last time out, firing away four triples and a game-high total of 27 points as the Hotshots avenged their 87-88 loss in Game One.

The two teams break the standoff in Game Three over at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer, after barely stealing Game Two, braces for a tough test versus Barangay Ginebra in Game Three of their side of the best-of-seven semis, also at the MOA tonight.

“They are likely to come out with a big surprise and we have to be ready,” said SMB coach Leo Austria ahead of their 7 p.m. setto.

That could come in the form of seven-foot package in Greg Slaughter, who has been riding the Ginebra bench for quite sometime but could be fielded in the Kings’ virtual do-or-die encounter with the Beermen.

With Slaughter, the Kings hope to slow down SMB’s main man June Mar Fajardo, who scored 33 points and hauled down 19 rebounds in 49 minutes of action in their thrilling 104-102 overtime victory in Game Two last Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings actually came close to forging a one-game deadlock in the series only to blow their opportunities in regulation play and in overtime.

Magnolia came out well prepared despite its depleted roster with almost all the Hotshots stepping up to overrun the Road Warriors and avoid falling down to a 0-2 series deficit.

Learning hours before the game that Pingris would be gone for the conference and probably the season due to an ACL tear, the Hotshots rallied behind their teammate and dealt the Road Warriors their first loss in the post-elims play.

The scores:

Magnolia 99 – Lee 27, Sangalang 18, Barroca 11, Dela Rosa 10, Ramos 10, Jalalon 9, Simon 8, Reavis 4, Brondial 2, Pascual 0, Mendoza 0, Gamalinda 0.

NLEX 84 – Quiñahan 13, Mallari 13, Al-Hussaini 10, Ravena 9, Miranda 8, Fonacier 6, Alas 6, Tiongson 6, Soyud 5, Baguio 4, Taulava 4, Monfort 0, Ighalo 0.

Quarterscores: 27-20, 48-39, 70-62, 99-84