Magnolia outlasts NLEX in OT to set up semis duel vs TNT

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots outlasted the NLEX Road Warriors, 112-106, to close out their quarterfinals series, 2-1, in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was a neck-and-neck race in the final period as the teams exchanged a total of five triples in the middle of the quarter before Magnolia hit a stretch where they went scoreless starting the 4:16 mark. A Don Trollano bucket with 1:41 on the clock pushed NLEX to a 96-94 lead, and a Calvin Oftana split with just a minute remaining gave them a three-point lead.

But Paul Lee sank a triple at the 12-second mark which tied the game at 97-apiece, and eventually forced the game into overtime.

Magnolia then took control early in overtime and ran out to a 108-100 lead.

Trollano sank two consecutive triples to trim the Road Warriors' deficit to just two with less than two minutes left but Calvin Abueva's charities off an Anthony Semerad foul in the last 42 seconds gave Magnolia a four point lead, while Mark Barroca's free throws late in the game sealed the win.

Ian Sangalang led the way with 24 markers and 11 rebounds while Lee added 21 markers.

Jio Jalalon took control in overtime to finish with 16 points, seven boards, and six assists

Magnolia spoiled Oftana's stellar performance as he tallied 32 points and nine rebounds. Trollano chipped in with 22 points while Kevin Alas had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

With the win, Magnolia will face TNT Tropang Giga in a best-of-seven series.

The scores:

Magnolia 112 – Sangalang 24, Lee 21, Jalalon 16, Barroca 14, Abueva 13, Dela Rosa 12, Corpuz 6, Dionisio 4, Wong 2.

NLEX 106 – Oftana 32, Trollano 22, Alas 17, Chua 10, Semerad 8, Quinahan 8, Rosales 5, Varilla 2, Nieto 2, Soyud 0.

Quarters: 26-30, 51-54, 79-78, 97-97, 112-106 (OT).

—JMB, GMA News