Magnolia Hotshots outrun NLEX Road Warriors, lead 2-1

MANILA, Philippines — Rafi Reavis made a key basket at endgame on a putback off his own miss, typifying the hard work and determination Magnolia showed in topping NLEX, 106-99, for the two-games-to-one lead in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Reavis actually scored only two points but provided the energy and muscle inside the paint, leaving to Jio Jalalon, Ian Sangalang, Rome dela Rosa and Paul Lee the offensive load as they made it two in a row over the Road Warriors following a 99-84 triumph in Game 2.

Jalalon and Sangalang put in 25 and 24 points, respectively, and were at the firing end as Magnolia unleashed a crucial salvo to gain some breathing space from a tight seesawing game entering the last five minutes of the contest.

Ahead by seven at 102-95, the Hotshots eventually sealed the win as the Road Warriors committed an error from a timeout then Reavis scored his lone basket that made it a nine-point lead with a little over a minute left to play.

“It’s all about team effort and sustaining aggressiveness, intensity and energy. That’s the game plan,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero. “We wanted to sustain the momentum we got from our Game Two win. We have to dig deep as we’re undermanned.”

Sticking to their plan and scheme to the end, the Hotshots outlasted the Road Warriors in a nip-and-tuck battle marked by 31 lead changes and 13 deadlocks.

Victolero said they will keep the same mindset as they try to stretch their lead to 3-1 in Game Four back at the MOA Arena tomorrow.

Neither team enjoyed a double-digit spread in Game Three.

Magnolia was nursing a two-point lead when Jalalon and Sangalang teamed up in a key assault to open a 97-89 cushion, and the Hotshots just hung tough to the finish.

“Because of our experience, being in the playoffs of all the conferences last year, I guess we have the edge in tight games. We have the advantage with Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang and Rafi Reavis. They know how to win big games,” said Victolero.

The scores:

Magnolia 106 – Jalalon 25, Sangalang 24, Dela Rosa 17, Lee 14, Ramos 7, Simon 7, Barroca 6, Herndon 4, Reavis 2, Brondial 0, Pascual 0.

NLEX 99 – Ravena 20, Alas 15, Quiñahan 13, Miranda 11, Fonacier 10, Mallari 9, Al-Hussaini 8, Gotladera 6, Tiongson 3, Taulava 2, Baguio 2.

Quarterscores: 24-27, 53-51, 79-78, 106-99.