By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Magnolia Hotshots are finally in the winning column of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals and showcased their defensive prowess against the talented TNT Tropang Giga team, 106-98, to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Magnolia applied tremendous pressure and didn’t allow TNT to comfortably set-up their half-court offense.
The adjustments they made paid off big time as Magnolia was able to record five total team steals and four blocks.
However, they had to endure the hot shooting of Mikey Williams who just went unconscious from the field after burying 10 three-pointers and finished the ball game with a team-high 39 points.
Despite Williams’ offensive showcase, Magnolia’s Paul Lee was quick to answer the call after a slow start in the first two games.
After burying a tough stepback jumper against Roger Pogoy for his first basket, Lee continued to roll and torched the Tropang Giga with 21 points.
Magnolia established its largest lead of the series at 14 in the final frame but the resilient TNT team led by Williams cut it to just three with a minute left.
Steady veteran Mark Barroca sank the dagger and provided the exclamation point off a sweet high-arching floater with 52 seconds left to put Magnolia’s lead back to five, 100-95.
Rome dela Rosa then iced the game with four consecutive free throws in the crucial stretch.
Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang backstopped Lee’s production with 14 and 20 points, respectively, and combined for 15 total rebounds.
