MANILA – Magnolia Hotshots put on their defensive clamps on San Miguel Beermen to take an 86-82 victory in Game 3 of the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Andy Mark Barroca led the way with 22 points, Ian Sangalang had double-double 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Rafael Reavis contributed 16 markers and 14 boards for the Hotshots, which took a 2-1 lead in the series.
Both teams traded leads early in the game with the Beermen on top 24-19 but the Hotshots went on a late run on a basket by Paul Lee and two free throws by Kyle Pascual to come to within 21-24.
Baskets from Pascual, Lee and Rome dela Rosa put the Hotshots on top 34-30 early in the second period. It grew further to 45-36 at the half on baskets from Sangalang, Reavis and Barroca.
Magnolia continued its run at the onset of third period to build a 54-42 advantage behind Sangalang and Barroca. SMB was able to cut it to three points but the Hotshots increased it to 66-58 on eight straight points by Barroca.
Beermen started strong in the fourth and was able to come to as close as 66-68 but the Hotshots banked on inside shots from Sangalang and Reavis to increase the lead back to nine.
The Beermen made its last push at 74-79 behind inside conversions from June Mar Fajardo but a basket by Sangalang and free throws by Jiovani Jalalon and Barroca sealed the win for the Hotshots.
Arwind Santos finished with double-double 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Fajardo also had double-double 17 markers and 14 boards for the defending champions Beermen./PN
