PBA: Magnolia wards off Meralco comeback, forces sudden death in QF

Magnolia restored order down the stretch to grind out a 95-89 win over Meralco in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals opener on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Hotshots saw a 19-point cushion evaporate as the Bolts surged in the fourth quarter behind Chris Newsome, but Magnolia regained control in crunch time through import Clint Chapman and Jerom Lastimosa to force Meralco into a do-or-die game on Saturday.

Chapman converted a crucial three-point play and a triple late to finish with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and a steal while Lastimosa, whose pair of free throws gave Magnolia enough breathing room in the final 17. 2 seconds, posted 17 markers laced with three boards, two dimes, and two steals.

The Hotshots have now strung together back-to-back wins over the Bolts following their convincing 93-76 victory to wrap up their elimination round run last Sunday. Magnolia will now aim to extend that dominance in Game 2, where a semifinal berth is at stake.

"I'd like to give credit to my players again for responding to my challenges. Chinallenge ko talaga sila na we're really playing a great team, a very well-coached team, very systematic team," Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio said.

"I should know because I was always playing against this team in the playoffs. I know how they play in the playoffs with the vets that they have."

Magnolia made a huge third-quarter run with Ian Sangalang hitting back-to-back baskets to give the Hotshots to a comfortable 66-47 lead while Javi Gomez de Liaño sank back-to-back triples bridging the third and fourth periods to create a 76-59 cushion.

The Bolts, however, refused to go quietly with Newsome taking charge in the comeback.

The seasoned guard completed a three-point play and then knocked down a jumper over Paul Lee, powering a wild 21-4 run that tied the game at 80-all. Newsome then issued a pass that led to a Javee Mocon layup as the Bolts regained an 82-80 lead.

Magnolia calmly pulled itself from a potential collapse as Chapman completed his own three-point play before hitting a massive three-pointer from the top of the key to create an 87-84 lead with 2:36 left.

Lastimosa then provided the finishing blow, escaping CJ Cansino for a layup before sinking a pair of free throws off his own offensive rebounds to give Magnolia to a 93-88 lead in the final 17.2 seconds.

Newsome paced Meralco in the loss, posting 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists while Marvin Jones was held to 16 markers, six boards, and two blocks.

Scores:

Magnolia 95 – Chapman 21, Lastimosa 17, Dela Rosa 11, Sanagalang 10, Gomez de Liano 9, Baroca 9, Lucero 9, Lee 9, Alfaro 0, Verano 0, Andrada 0.

Meralco 89– Newsome 23, Jones 16, Quinto 10, Black 9, Mocon 8, Cansino 7, Banchero 6, Brickman 5, Hodge 3, Bates 2.

Quarters: 24-22, 50-40, 73-57, 95-89.

—JKC, GMA News