MANILA – Andy Mark Barroca came up with clutch baskets as Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots escaped Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 99-95, in the 2023 PBA on Tour last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
After seeing their 14-point advantage turned to an 87-90 deficit, Barroca drilled two free throws followed by a three-pointer from Paul Lee to pull the Hotshots to within 92-93 with two minutes left.
After a basket by FiberXer’s Jeron Teng to make it 95-92, Barroca connected two free throws, a pull up jumper and two more free throws to give the Hotshots a 98-95 lead before Jed Mendoza sealed the victory with a split free throw.
Barroca finished the game with 12 points, with 10 coming in the fourth quarter, to go with seven assists and four rebounds as the Hotshots notched its second victory in as many matches.
Lee led the Hotshots with 21 points, including five three-point conversions, Mendoza contributed 14 markers, while Jerrick Ahanmisi also ended up with 12 points for the Hotshots.
Kevin Racal ended with 22 points, with four three-point connections, Jerrick Balanza added 20 markers, while Mike Nieto contributed 18 points as the FiberXers dropped to 1-1.
In the first game, Blackwater Bossing wasted an early double-digit lead before pulling off a 100-94 victory over Terrafirma Dyip for its second victory in three games. The Dyip dropped to 0-2.
After seeing their first half lead turned to a 56-64 deficit, the Bossing turned things around with baskets from RK Ilagan, Jeth Troy Rosario and Yousef Taha to tie the score at 64-all before surging to an 84-73 lead with inside hits from Renato Ular.
The Bossing were still up by double-digits in the fourth but the Dyip made its last push to cut it to 87-94 but a three-pointer from Ilagan followed by a free throw by Rosario sealed the win for Blackwater.
Rosario top-scored for the Bossing with 20 points, Rashawn McCarthy drilled three triples to end up with 13 markers, while Ilagan, Baser Amer and Mike Ayonayon had 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively.
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 99 – Lee 21, Mendoza 14, Ahanmisi 12, Barroca 12, Eriobu 8, Laput 8, Tratter 8, Murrell 6, Corpuz 6, Dela Rosa 4.
CONVERGE 95 – Racal 22, Balanza 20, Nieto 18, Teng 8, Stockton 7, Arana 6, Mendoza 5, Ebona 5, Ambohot 4, Guinto 0.
Quarterscores: 22-14, 55-45, 71-64, 99-95./PN
