PBL: Magnolia halts Bacchus finals bid

MANILA, Philippines - Magnolia Purewater lived to fight another day and stopped Bacchus' finals date with Harbour Centre with an 83-69 win Game Four of their Philippine Basketball League (PBL) PG Flex Linoleum Cup semifinal series Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena. Magnolia's win forced a deciding Game Five on Saturday with the winner of the do-or-die contest earning the second finals berth and the right to face defending champion Harbour Centre in the best-of-five title series on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan City. The Batang Pier, seeking a record sixth straight title, earned their sixth straight finals stint after a 3-0 sweep of Hapee Toothpaste in their own semis encounter. With Paul Lee out in the first quarter with an injury, the Wizards found the task easier and lead by 17 in several occasions, the last time to end the third period, 63-46. Magnolia had its defense on another level, frustrating the Energy Warriors' gunners whole game long while draining their shots at ease at the other end. Lee was not able to return to action after getting bumped by Rañeses in a screen play. He had his left arm put on a sling by PBL Commissioner Chino Trinidad. "Kailangan namin itaas ang morale namin (We need to boost our morale)," Neil Rañeses commented on what was the key factor that led to his team's convincing conquest. "Lahat ng teammates ko nag-step up (The whole team stepped up in the game)." Rañeses also delivered for the Wizards dominating the game with 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and blocked three shots. Another Warrior questionable for the do or die match on Saturday is Patrick Cabahug after getting himself ejected along with Liz Amparado of Magnolia. The two got entangled midway of the fourth quarter and got thrown out with punching fouls. The two went at each other once more at the corridor leading to the dugouts. Further sanctions are pending as of posting time.