Lee scores 27 as Magnolia evens series with NLEX

The Magnolia Hotshots on Monday matched a strong start with an equally powerful finish to register a 99-84 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors to tie their best-of-seven semifinals series at one game apiece.

Magnolia pounced on NLEX from the get-go, pouring on 27 points while allowing just 20 to set the tone early.

Without Marc Pingris, who has been sidelined with an ACL injury, Paul Lee carried Magnolia with 27 points in 28 minutes on the floor.

Ian Sangalang added 18 with eight boards, while Mark Barroca tallied 11. Rome Dela Rosa and Aldrech Ramos also scored eight apiece.

Eight points separated the two squads heading into the final frame, before three straight triples from PJ Simon and Rome Dela Rosa stretched Magnolia’s advantage to 17 points with 8:33 remaining, 83-66.

NLEX was able to trim the deficit to as little as 12 points in the final 3:24 of the game, but Mark Barroca led a slew of insurance conversions to make it an 18-point game.

Only three players scored in double figures for NLEX, with KR Quinahan and Alex Mallari hitting 13 points each. Rabeh Al-Hussaini chipped in 10, while Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas were limited to ca combined 15 points off a six of 13 clip.

Rookie Ravena also tallied seven assists and three boards but with five of his team’s 17 turnovers, which the Hotshots converted into 30 points.

Game 3 will be on Wednesday, March 14, at the Araneta Coliseum. — DVM, GMA News