MANILA – Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots survived a furious fourth quarter run by the TNT Tropang Giga for a 92-88 escape in Game 2 of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Leading by as high as 19 points early in the payoff period, the Tropang Giga leaned on outside conversions of Jayson Castro and Mikey Williams to cut the deficit to 88-90 with three seconds left.
TNT’s Roger Pogoy managed to steal the ball but was called for stepping on the baseline. Andy Mark Barroca and Calvin Abueva then sealed Magnolia’s win with split free throws.
Barroca finished the game with 22 points to go with five rebounds and two assists as the Hotshots tied their best-of-seven semifinals series with the defending champions Tropang Giga at 1-1.
Ian Sangalang added 20 markers, Abueva contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Paul Lee ended up with 10 points for the Hotshots.
Williams ended with 28 points, Castro contributed 17 markers, while John Paul Erram, Roger Pogoy and Jeth Troy Rosario had 13, 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Tropang Giga.
Meralco Bolts, meanwhile, leaned on the fourth quarter exploits of Negrense Raymar Jose to defeat San Miguel Beermen in Game 2, 99-88, and tie their semifinals series at 1-1.
Holding to a 76-74 lead, Jose connected a two-pointer, a triple, two free throws and a three-point play as the Bolts surged to a 90-79 advantage midway in the fourth quarter.
The Beermen attempted to come close behind three-straight points by Moala Tautuaa but consecutive baskets by Aaron Black gave the Bolts a 99-85 lead.
Jose finished with 13 points, with 10 coming in the fourth quarter, Clifford Hodge had double-double 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Black and Allein Maliksi had 15 markers each for the Bolts.
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 92 — Barroca 22, Sangalang 20, Abueva 18, Lee 10, Reavis 9, Wong 5, Jalalon 4, Dela Rosa 2, Laput 2, Dionisio 0.
TNT 88 — M. Williams 28, Castro 17, Erram 13, Pogoy 11, Rosario 10, K. Williams 6, Montalbo 3, Khobuntin 0, Alejandro 0, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarterscores: 18-12, 39-29, 69-58, 92-88./PN
