MANILA – Jiovani Jalalon came up with clutch baskets in the fourth period as Magnolia Hotshots cruised to a 92-86 win over Meralco Bolts in the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City.
Down 78-82 early in the fourth, Jalalon drops a two-pointer followed by a triple by Andy Mark Barroca for an 83-82 Hotshots’ lead.
Jalalon then canned back-to-back treys to surge Magnolia ahead, 89-82.
The Bolts made its last push at 86-89 on a basket by Nard John Pinto, but a free throw by Paul Lee followed by an inside hit by Ian Sangalang increased the Hotshots’ lead to 92-86.
Jalalon led the way with 19 points and nine rebounds for the Hotshots, which finally barged into the win column in the season-opening conference after losing its first three matches.
Lee contributed 15 markers off the bench while Sangalang and Barroca chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively, for the reigning Governors’ Cup champions.
It was a seesaw affair for both teams early in the match until the Hotshots surged to its biggest lead at 38-29 midway in the second period. The Bolts rallied back to within 44-46 at the half.
Both teams exchanged leads early in the third canto until the Bolts gained the lead at 73-70 and later at 82-78 early in the fourth, but the Hotshots turned things around with a 14-4 finishing kick behind Jalalon.
Chris Newsome had 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Baser Amer added 18 markers for the Bolts, which dropped to 2-6 win-loss slate./PN
