Lee fires 21 as Magnolia downs misfiring Meralco

The Magnolia Hotshots limited the Meralco Bolts to just 17 points or less in all four quarters to earn a 94-65 victory on Saturday.

Paul Lee led Magnolia's starters with 21 points, but it was the bench that did most of the damage for the Hotshots, as the second stringers outperformed their Meralco counterparts, 54-25. Ian Sangaland and Rob Herndon had 12 and 10 points, respectively, while PJ Simon and Mark Barroca combined for 15.

Chris Newsome was the lone bright spot for Meralco, hitting 13 points. Joseph Sedurifa was the only other Bolt in double figures with 10, as Anjo Caram and Garvo Lanete were limited to a combined 17 points. Baser Amer, meanwhile, tallied just five in limited minutes.

Magnolia had their way in the paint, powering through the porous Meralco offense, 40-24. Coach Chito Victolero's squad shot a high 48 percent from the field, while limiting Meralco to just 26 makes after 74 attempts for 35 percent.

Casio leads Alaska to victory

Meanwhile, during Friday's game, Jayvee Casio had 22 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists, including clutch charities in the endgame to lead the Alaska Aces to a 99-95 victory against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

It was a cardiac finish for the two squads, with Rain or Shine uncorking a 5-0 swing to take the lead at the 1:30 mark, 95-94. Vic Manuel then canned a jumper after Raymond Almazan committed a turnover, forcing Rain or Shine to call for time.

Off the break, the Elasto Painters went to Yap from a three but the veteran missed, leaving Jayvee Casio to secure the all-important rebound.

Casio then earned a trip to the line, where he made two free throws to stretch the lead to three with 11 seconds remaining. A quick attempt from deep from Mark Borboran also failed to fall for Rain or Shine, as Kevin Racal split his charities for the final score.

Aside from Casio, six more Alaska players scored in double figures, while Marion Magat and Jeron Tend scoring 14 each. Kevin Racal and Vic Manuel added 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Sonny Those and Simon Enciso tallied 10 apiece.

Maverick Ahanmisi, meanwhile, led an active starting five for Rain or Shine, hitting 23 points with five boards and five assists, along with five steals. James Yap scored 17, while Ed Daquioad and Raymond Almazan combined for 26. Beau Belga also scored in double digits off the bench with 11.

Lassiter, Ross execute last-second play

Chris Ross found a cutting Marcio Lassiter for a layup in the final second as the San Miguel Beermen edged the Kia Picanto, 108-106, to prevent an upset against the league’s worst team.

Arwind Santos led San Miguel with 27 points, 12 boards, and five assists, while Marcio Lassiter added 22, including his team’s final five. Von Pessumal and Yance De Ocampo added 11 and 10 points off the bench.

A Gabby Espinas split had San Miguel leading by three heading into the final two minutes, but back to back hits from Reden Celda and Rashawn McCarthy put Kia on top, 104-103, with 1:29 to go.

Glenn Khobuntin stretched the lead with a laying at the 1:02 mark, but Marcio Lassiter connected on a triple that tied the game with 48 ticks to go. Khobuntin had a chance to drain the clock and win the game, but Arwind Santos was there to block his shot. Off the inbounds, San Miguel then set up the winning play, with Chris Ross finding a cutting Lassiter for a bounce pass and the victory.

Rashawn McCarthy and Mark Lee paced Kia’s starters with 10 points each, but it was Glenn Khobuntin who scored the most of the Picanto with 15. Jackson Corpuz and Jon Jon Gabriel, meanwhile, combined for 22. — DVM, GMA News