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[av_heading heading=’Magnolia captures 5th win as Lee gets injured’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ 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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January 29, 2018
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MANILA – Despite the early exit of Paul Lee, Magnolia Hotshots managed to find ways to smother TNT KaTropa 91-83 in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hotshots (5-1) banked on Mark Andy Barroca, who posted 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists; Justin Melton, who had 14; and Jean Marc Pingris and Ian Sangalang, 13 points each.
Lee, who had undergone a knee procedure during offseason, failed to finish the Saturday night game after getting injured in the third quarter during a rebound scramble with KaTropa’s Jeth Troy Rosario. He ended up with just 5 points.
After an early seesaw battle, Hotshots distanced from KaTropa on consecutive baskets from Barroca and Sangalang for a 26-20 edge at the end of the first quarter.
Magnolia’s lead swelled to 9 early in the second but TNT countered with a run to take the lead 30-29. Hotshots regained the lead 39-31 but KaTropa had another run for 45-47 at the half.
After losing Lee early in the third, Hotshots got a lease of life behind Barroca, Pingris and Melton and headed to 62-53. KaTropa got close being just a digit behind but hits from Melton gave Hotshots a 74-62 lead heading into the fourth.
Hotshots was hanging on to a double-digit edge when KaTropa had its last run behind Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro to come to within 83-87 but back-to-back hits from Barroca sealed the win for Magnolia.
“It’s about our discipline on defense. We did a good job on Castro and the rest of their players,” said Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero. “Talagang hindi kami nagpa-outwork sa TNT.”
Moala Tautuaa led KaTropa (3-3) with 16 points. Jeth Troy Rosario and Castro added 15 and 14 points, respectively./PN
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