MANILA – Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots squandered a double-digit edge before pulling off a 96-93 win over TNT Tropang Giga in the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After seeing its 19-point lead turned to a 77-78 deficit, the Hotshots went on a 13-2 scoring blast behind Calvin Abueva, Andy Mark Barroca and Michael Harris to build an 89-80 edge.
The Tropang Giga responded with back-to-back triples from Bacolodnon Kib Montalbo to trim the deficit to 90-91, but free throws by Ian Sangalang and Paul Lee gave Magnolia a 96-91 edge.
TNT made its last push on a basket by Mikey Williams to cut the deficit to 93-96 with two seconds left. Magnolia fumbled their two free throws on the other end as the time expired.
Harris finished the match with double-double 41 points and 18 rebounds, while Lee and Barroca chipped in 15 and 14 points, respectively. The Hotshots stayed unbeaten in four games.
Aaron Fuller tallied double-double 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Tropang Giga (2-3). Williams, Gabriel Banal and Jayson Castro added 17, 16 and 15 points, respectively.
In the first game, Meralco Bolts leaned on a strong start before holding off sistsr team NLEX Road Warriors, 110-100, to remain undefeated in three matches.
Behind reinforcement Tony Bishop, Aaron Black and Chris Newsome, the Bolts made its presence felt in the opening half en route to a 62-45 spread at the half.
Meralco continued its rampage in the second half as the lead reached its highest at 20 points. NLEX rallied to within nine points but the Bolts came up with clutch hits from Bishop to seal the win.
Bishop had a near triple-double numbers of 32 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists, while Black, Newsome and Allein Maliksi chipped in 19, 18 and 17, respectively, for the Bolts.
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 96 – Harris 41, Lee 15, Barroca 14, Sangalang 7, Abueva 6, Jalalon 6, Reavis 4, Ahanmisi 3, Corpuz 0, Wong 0, Dionisio 0.
TNT 93 – Fuller 21, M. Williams 17, Banal 16, Castro 15, Montalbo 8, K. Williams 7, Erram 5, Reyes 3, Rosario 1, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarterscores: 31-14, 52-39, 71-66, 96-93./PN
