MANILA – Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots needed just one game to finish off Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 127-88, in the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Paul Lee drained five triples to finish with 25 points, while Andy Mark Barroca added 18 markers as the Hotshots moved on to the semifinals round against Meralco Bolts.
Jiovani Jalalon and Mike Harris contributed 15 points each. Calvin Abueva returned from injury to tally 12 markers while Ian Sangalang and Adrian Wong ended up with 11 points each for Magnolia.
The Hotshots set the tone early with conversions from Barroca and Harris for a 34-20 first quarter lead. It went up to 66-46 at the half after a strong second quarter showing by Lee.
The Fuel Masters started the third quarter strong as they cut the deficit to 62-77 but the Hotshots has a quick response from Harris, Abueva and Jalalon as the lead reached its largest at 45 points.
Du’Vaughn Maxwell finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Jason Perkins and Ryan Roose Garcia added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the ousted Fuel Masters.
In the first game, the Bolts thwarted San Miguel Beermen’s fourth quarter rally with timely conversions as they score a 100-85 win in their separate quarterfinals encounter.
After seeing their 81-61 lead trimmed to 72-84 early in the fourth quarter, the Bolts leaned on conversions by Chris Newsome and Clifford Hodge to stretch the lead to 92-76.
SMB made its last push at 80-92 but Meralco went for the kill with back-to-back hits from Newsome and Tony Bishop and freebies by Newsome and Raymond Almazan for a 100-82 edge.
Bishop led the way with double-double 32 points and 16 rebounds, while Newsome chipped in 22 markers as the Bolts took advantage of their twice-to-beat quarterfinals incentive to finish off SMB.
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 127 — Lee 25, Barroca 18, Jalalon 15, Harris 15, Abueva 12, Sangalang 11, Wong 11, Dela Rosa 10, Dionisio 5, Ahanmisi 3, Reavis 2, Corpuz 0, Brill 0, Escoto 0.
PHOENIX 88 — Maxwell 32, Perkins 11, Garcia 10, Wright 8, Jazul 7, Melecio 7, Robles 6, Pascual 4, Demusis 3, Porter 0, Manganti 0, Rios 0, Camacho 0.
Quarterscores: 34-20, 66-46, 102-67, 127-88./PN
