MANILA – Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots clinched the remaining twice-to-beat edge in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals via a 106-90 win over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Down 71-77 entering the fourth quarter, the Hotshots got back-to-back conversions from Ian Sangalang and connections from Jiovani Jalalon and Nicholas Rakocevic to take an 83-82 lead.
Magnolia went on to widen the advantage to 95-85 via inside shots from Sangalang and Rakocevic and a triple by Rome dela Rosa before its reached its biggest at 106-90 with a trey from Adrian Wong and a layup by Jerrick Ahanmisi.
Rakocevic finished with double-double 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Sangalang and Paul Lee added 16 markers apiece. The Hotshots ended at second place with 10-2 win-loss slate.
The Hotshots also locked in on the remaining twice-to-beat edge against the No. 7-ranked Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (6-6), while Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (8-3) ended at no.3 and will face NorthPort Batang Pier (6-6) in best-of-three series.
The Painters, meanwhile, will face NLEX Road Warriors in a knockout game for the eighth and final quarterfinals seat after ending tied at 5-7. The winner of the knockout game this Sunday will have a twice-to-win disadvantage over no.1 Bay Area Dragons (10-2).
In the first game, San Miguel Beermen was given a scare by the also-ran Meralco Bolts before pulling off a 113-108 and head to the quarterfinals as the no.5 seed with 7-5 slate. They will face Converge FiberXers in the best-of-three series.
Leading by as much as 25 points early in the fourth quarter, the Bolts went on a massive run to cut the deficit to 108-111 but two free throws by import Devon Scott sealed the win for the Beermen.
Scott tallied double-double 32 points and 12 rebounds, Marcio Lassiter added 13 markers, while Ilonggo Jericho Cruz and Jaymar Perez had 10 points apiece for San Miguel Beer.
Terrence Romeo made his Beermen return after almost eight months of inactivity to finish with 12 points, including two triples, to go with one assist and a steal.
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 106 – Rakocevic 21, Lee 16, Sangalang 16, Abueva 12, Barroca 12, Dela Rosa 9, Jalalon 6, Ahanmisi 6, Mendoza 5, Wong 3, Reavis 0, Corpuz 0, Dionisio 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 90 – Santillan 15, Nambatac 15, Pearson 14, Mamuyac 9, Torres 8, Ponferrada 6, Caracut 6, Nieto 6, Asistio 5, Norwood 4, Demusis 2.
Quarterscores: 24-28, 44-52, 71-77, 106-90./PN
