MANILA – Ian Sangalang drained marginal free throws as Magnolia Hotshots completed its fightback from 20 points down to beat San Miguel Beermen, 105-103, in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the game tied at 103-all, Sangalang surged the Hotshots ahead at 105-103 on two free throws with 16.5 seconds left.
After missed free throws by Hotshots’ Jio Jalalon, the Beermen had a chance to tie the score but Arwind Santos’ shot was blocked.
Sangalang finished with career-high 29 points to go along with nine rebounds.
The Hotshots is in its first-ever finals appearance since taking the Grand Slam in 2014 season.
“Pinagtiyagaan talaga namin dahil matagal din namin inasam na makarating dito,” Sangalang said. “Personally, nacha-challenge rin ako na ibigay ang best ko kapag katapat ko si June Mar (Fajardo).”
The Beermen had a strong start in the opening half and were up by as much as 20 points in the third period when the Hotshots made its run behind Rome dela Rosa and Jio Jalalon to come to within 75-89.
The Hotshots continued its run in the fourth period courtesy of Sangalang and Robbie Herndon to come to within 88-89 but the Beermen has a quick respond from Fajardo and Alex Cabagnot to increase the lead back to 93-88.
The Hotshots found its groove anew on inside hits by Sangalang to tie the count at 97-all. After the Beermen took a 100-97 lead, the Hotshots answered back with six straight points from Rafael Reavis, Andy Mark Barroca and Sangalang to take a 103-100 lead.
Aldrech Ramos had 15 markers, including four 3-point conversions, while Barroca and Dela Rosa had 14 and 11 points, respectively, for the Hotshots, which survived a subpar showing by star Paul Lee, who was held to 4 points on 2-of-13 shooting.
“It’s a team effort,” said Hotshots head coach Chto Victolero. “All credit to our players kasi kahit down kami by 20 points hindi sila nag give up. Our defense was also better in the second half. But it is still a long way to go.”
Fajardo led the way with 31 points and 18 rebounds but also committing 11 turnovers, while Cabagnot flirted with triple-double with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists for the three-time defending champions Beermen.
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 105 – Sangalang 29, Ramos 15, Barroca 14, Dela Rosa 11, Herndon 8, Jalalon 7, Reavis 6, Pascual 5, Lee 4, Melton 0, Simon 0, Brondial 0.
SAN MIGUEL BEER 103 – Fajardo 31, Cabagnot 27, Lassiter 21, Santos 19, Rosser 4, Ross 1, Pessumal 0, Espinas 0, De Ocampo 0.
Quarterscores: 25-33, 47-63, 75-89, 105-103/PN
