MANILA – Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots showed poise in the endgame to escape with a 94-90 victory over San Miguel Beermen in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Clinging to an 82-79 lead with five minutes left in the game, the Hotshots got two baskets each from reinforcement Tyler Bey and Andy Mark Barroca to establish a 90-80 upperhand.
The Beermen responded with eight straight points from Ivan Aska, Chris Ross and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz to cut the deficit to 88-90 with 33 seconds left, but the Hotshots secured the victory on four free throws by Aris Dionisio.
Bey finished with a double-double of 31 points and 21 rebounds to go with three assists and two steals, while James Laput added 14 markers and seven rebounds for the Hotshots.
Jiovani Jalalon also had a double-double of 11 points and 11 assists, while Barroca and Dionisio ended with 10 points apiece as the Hotshots stayed on top with 7-0 win-loss slate.
Aska top-scored for the Beermen with 29 points, Cruz added 16 markers with four triples, while Moala Tautuaa chipped in 12 points. They suffered their second straight loss for a 3-3 mark.
Meanwhile, Zachary Lofton had an explosive debut for Meralco Bolts as they smothered NorthPort Batang Pier, 125-99. The Bolts improved to 5-1 win-loss slate, while the Batang Pier dropped to 5-3.
Holding to a slim 49-48 lead at the half, the Bolts blasted for 43 points in the third quarter behind inside and outside conversions from Lofton to establish a 92-64 advantage.
The Bolts continued their rampage in the fourth quarter behind consecutive baskets from Lofton and Allein Maliksi as the lead reached its largest at 112-74 with over eight minutes left in the game.
Lofton finished with 54 points, including nine three-point conversions, Maliksi added 18 markers, while Chris Newsome and Raymond Almazan ended with 11 points apiece for the Bolts./PN
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 94 – Bey 31, Laput 14, Jalalon 11, Barroca 10, Dionisio 10, Dela Rosa 6, Sangalang 4, Ahanmisi 3, Reavis 2, Lee 2, Tratter 1, Mendoza 0.
SAN MIGUEL 90 – Aska 29, Cruz 16, Tautuaa 12, Brondial 9, Lassiter 9, Ross 7, Perez 4, Mallilin 2, Bulanadi 2.
Quarterscores: 17-19, 44-39, 68-67, 94-90.
