Lee scorches with 28 points as Hotshots go 2-0 vs Bolts
Games Friday (DHVSU Gym, Bacolor, Pampanga)
3 p.m. – Meralco vs Magnolia (Magnolia leads series, 2-0)
6 p.m. – San Miguel vs TNT (Series tied, 1-1)
MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia roared to a 2-0 lead against Meralco after hammering out a 92-78 triumph in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals Wednesday night in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Paul Lee sizzled for 28 big points while Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva each posted double-double numbers as the Hotshots repeated their 88-79 romp in Sunday’s opener and stayed in control of the race-to-four affair.
“It’s a team effort. I’m very proud of the players because of commitment nila sa depensa and yung effort nila,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose team pounced on the early exits of Raymond Almazan (ankle injury) and Cliff Hodge (ejection) to pull away in the second half.
Lee provided the spark as Magnolia wiped out an early 12-point deficit and later joined forces with Abueva and Sangalang in a 9-0 blast bridging the third and fourth periods that allowed the Hotshots to rip the game apart, 69-58.
Sangalang scored 16 and grabbed 10 boards while Abueva had 11-11 to backstop Lee.
Chris Newsome paced the Bolts with 18.
The scores:
Magnolia 92 – Lee 28, Sangalang 16, Abueva 11, Dela Rosa 8, Melton 6, Reavis 6, Corpuz 4, Jalalon 4, Barroca 4, Dionisio 3, Pascual 2.
Meralco 78 – Newsome 18, Pinto 12, Hugnatan 12, Belo 7, Quinto 7, Maliksi 7, Almazan 6, Caram 4, Hodge 3, Jose 2, Pasaol 0, Baclao 0.
Quarterscores: 13-13, 38-36, 64-58, 92-78.
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