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[av_heading heading=’Magnolia bucks Kiefer’s 29, smothers NLEX’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Monday, March 19, 2018
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MANILA – Magnolia Hotshots moved closer to a Finals seat in the PBA Philippine Cup with an 87-78 win over NLEX Road Warriors in Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinals match last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Andy Mark Barroca led the way with 18 points while Paul Lee and Aldrech Ramos chipped in with 15 markers apiece for Hotshots, which grabbed the upper hand in the series at 3-2.
Their rally played down the efforts of Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena, who finished with 29 points – including four 3-point conversions – for NLEX.
Hotshots can move to its first Finals appearance, after settling for three semifinals finishes last season, in Game 6 of the series on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Holding to a slim 59-58 lead entering the final quarter, Hotshots created distance from Road Warriors on consecutive baskets from Barroca and Ramos to build a 72-62 advantage.
Hotshots then pounced on Road Warriors’ defensive miscues from inside with baskets from Ian Sangalang and Rome dela Rosa to create its largest lead in the match – 18 points.
“We experienced it last season so hindi na bago itong sitwasyon namin noong natablahan kami sa series,” said Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero. “We just regrouped, physically and mentally, heading into this game.”
Already down in the series, Road Warriors could be facing another problem heading into the do-or-die Game 6 after Kevin Alas sustained a knee injury early in the first half.
Alex Mallari had double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds while Raul Soyud and Larry Fonacier had 11 points each for Road Warriors./PN
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