Magnolia staves off elimination, beats TNT in Game 5

Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots refused to go home after pulling off a 105-97 victory over defending champion TNT Tropang Giga in Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinals series in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday.

Despite the Hotshots' win, TNT still kept the upper hand in the series with a 3-2 card.

Magnolia established a big lead early on, building a 51-35 cushion late in the second period before going to the break holding a 59-45 spread.

But TNT sliced its deficit to just five, 78-73, following a layup basket from Mikey Williams. Mark Barroca then stopped the bleeding with a triple as they headed to the payoff period carrying with an 81-73 lead.

In the fourth, TNT came as close as 90-87 with RR Pogoy firing a triple but the lead stayed with Hotshots for good, closing out the game with a 15-10 run.

Barroca led the way with 25 points, six rebounds, and four assists while Calvin Abueva chipped in 16 markers to redeem himself after a near scoreless outing in the previous game. Poy Erram registered 19 markers for TNT while Williams and Troy Rosario chimed in with 15 markers apiece.

Magnolia will look to even the series out and force a deciding Game 7 on Sunday for Game 6.

—MGP, GMA News