PBL: Free throws lift Magnolia past undermanned Burger King

MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia Purewater turned to the free throw line to escape with a 71-67 win over an undermanned Burger King side in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) 2009 PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Guadalupe Viejo Sports Complex in Makati City. JP Alcaraz starred for Magnolia, which played minus high-scoring forward Dylan Ababou, making three crucial charities to secure the Wizards a second-best 7-2 mark behind the 8-1 card of league-leading Harbour Centre. The win also moved the Wizards, who managed to win thanks to Alcaraz’ heroics, to two games away from earning an outright semifinals berth. The loss dropped the Stunners to sixth place with a 3-6 record. Ababou is currently in China as a member of the Philippine training team with coach Rajko Toroman for an invitational tournament together with BK’s scoring trio of Ogie Menor, Mac Baracael and Marcy Arellano. The Wizards managed to hang on thanks to Alcaraz’ end-game heroics earning the much-awaited win that erased the 94-76 thrashing they suffered from the five-time champions Batang Pier last week. Veteran Neil Raneses was at the helm once more for the Wizards with 16 points while Alcaraz finished with 15 markers including five from the free throw line to go with his six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. Eder Saldua also had 10, eight caroms and three steals for Magnolia. Nestor David led the Stunners with 18 points behind a 70 percent shooting from the field. He also had five rebounds and two blocks. Christian Luanzon chipped in 17 points, on 6-of-11 shooting, along with four rebounds and three blocks while Abby Santos netted 10 points and grabbed 10 caroms but had five turnovers in the contest. – GMANews.TV Standings W L Harbour 8 1 Magnolia 7 2 Hapee 4 4 Bacchus 4 5 Toyota Otis 3 5 Burger King 3 6 Pharex 1 7