By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots leaned on a huge finishing run to defeat San Miguel Beermen, 96-85, in Game 4 of the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the score tied at 79-all, the Hotshots went on an 8-0 scoring run behind five straight points by Tyler Bey, a free throw by Calvin Abueva, and an inside hit from Ian Sangalang for an 87-79 lead.
The Beermen tried to cut the deficit several times, but the Hotshots got two free throws and a long three-pointer from Paul Lee to widen the lead to 94-83 with under two minutes left.
Tyler Bey finished with a double-double of 26 points and 12 rebounds to go with six steals and three assists as the Hotshots knotted the best-of-seven championship series at 2-2.
Lee and Andy Mark Barroca chipped in 14 markers apiece, Ian Sangalang and Jiovani Jalalon had 13 and 10 markers, respectively, while Abueva contributed nine points and 11 rebounds for Magnolia.
June Mar Fajardo finished with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Bennie Boatwright Jr. also had a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Beermen.
Jaymar Perez also had a decent game for the Beermen with 17 points, while Celedonio Trollano and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz contributed 12 and 11 markers, respectively, in the loss.
Meanwhile, Perez and Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters reinforcement Johnathan Williams III were adjudged the Best Player and Best Import of the Conference, respectively.
Perez bested Christian Standhardinger (Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings), Arvin Tolentino (NorthPort Batang Pier), and Calvin Oftana (TNT Tropang Giga) for his first BPC award.
Williams, on the other hand, was a surprise Best Import winner as he defeated the favored Bey, Boatwright and Gin Kings’ reinforcement Tony Bishop./PN
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 96 – Bey 26, Barroca 14, Lee 14, Sangalang 13, Jalalon 10, Abueva 9, Dionisio 6, Dela Rosa 2, Laput 2, Escoto 0, Tratter 0.
SAN MIGUEL 85 – Fajardo 18, Perez 17, Boatwright 16, Trollano 12, Cruz 11, Lassiter 9, Teng 2, Tautuaa 0, Ross 0.
Quarterscores: 27-19, 49-45, 72-73, 96-85.
