MANILA — Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots secured the No. 1 seed in Group B and a quarterfinal showdown with defending champion TNT Tropang 5G after surviving a late challenge from Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 107-103, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Javi Gomez de Liaño spearheaded the Hotshots’ crucial victory, burying six three-pointers to finish with 19 points and earn Player of the Game honors as Magnolia wrapped up its elimination-round campaign with a 7-3 win-loss record.
The victory assured Magnolia of the top spot in Group B and set the stage for a quarterfinal encounter with TNT, which finished fourth in Group A.
Gomez de Liaño received ample offensive support from Peter Alfaro III, who contributed 17 points, while KJ Buffen and Jerom Lastimosa chipped in 16 markers apiece. Yukien Andrada added 11 points.
Rain or Shine refused to go down without a fight, keeping the contest close behind Adrian Nocum’s 25-point explosion.
Aaron Fuller supplied 18 points, while Felix Lemetti added 11, but their efforts were not enough to prevent the Elasto Painters from absorbing another defeat.
Rain or Shine dropped to a 5-4 record, trailing Magnolia in the Group B standings.
Meanwhile, the San Miguel Beermen pulled off a stunning comeback from a 20-point deficit to escape with a dramatic 135-133 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors in another explosive encounter.
George King delivered the winning basket after San Miguel clawed its way back from a seemingly insurmountable 98-118 disadvantage.
With King, June Mar Fajardo, Celedonio Trollano and Jericho Cruz fueling the furious rally, the Beermen erased NLEX’s commanding lead and forged a 133-all deadlock in the closing stages.
King then completed San Miguel’s remarkable turnaround by sinking the go-ahead basket for a 135-133 advantage.
NLEX had one final opportunity to steal the victory, but LJay Gonzales misfired on a potential game-winning three-pointer, allowing the Beermen to preserve their thrilling escape.
King paced San Miguel with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Fajardo delivered a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds.
Trollano contributed 23 points, Marcio Lassiter added 19, and Jaymar Perez finished with 14 as the Beermen overcame the huge deficit.
The Road Warriors wasted a spectacular 43-point performance from import Deonte Burton, who carried much of NLEX’s offensive burden.
Gonzales and Deschon Winston contributed 20 points each, while Anthony Semerad scored 14 and Robert Bolick Jr. added 13.
Despite San Miguel’s dramatic victory, NLEX retained the No. 1 seed in Group A through a superior quotient after both teams completed the elimination round with identical 9-3 records.
The Beermen settled for the second seed, while the Road Warriors advanced to the quarterfinals as Group A’s top-ranked squad./PN
