Magnolia wins third straight as NLEX remains winless

The Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok notched its third straight win at the expense of the NLEX Road Warriors, 103-97, in the PBA On Tour on Saturday at Baliwag, Bulacan.

The Hotshots were leading by seven, 100-93, before the Road Warriors cut the deficit to three after a split by Kris Rosales and a triple by Kevin Alas, 100-97, with 31 ticks left. Jed Mendoza connected a triple late to seal the deal for Magnolia.

Jackson Corpuz had 19 points while James Laput registered a double-double with 18 points and 13 boards. Jerrick Ahanmisi had 15 points, while Paul Lee had 12 points in the Hotshots' third win.

Ben Adamos, making his debut for NLEX, had 18 points, while Don Trollano and Kevin Alas had 15 points apiece. Jake Pascual had 14 points, while Dominic Fajardo had 12 points and nine boards as the Road Warriors remained winless.

PBA On Tour action will return on Sunday as the Converge FiberXers and the Meralco Bolts face off at 5 p.m. and Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer play at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The scores:

Magnolia 103 – Corpuz 19, Laput 18, Ahanmisi 15, Dela Rosa 12, Lee 11, Mendoza 8, Eriobu 7, Barroca 6, Jalalon 6, Tratter 0, Murrell 0.

NLEX 97 –  Adamos 18, Trollano 15, Alas 15, Pascual 14, Fajardo 12, Rosales 8, Galanza 7, Doliguez 5, Miranda 3.

Quarters: 26-25, 45-53, 75-67, 103-97.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News