MANILA – Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots survived a late run by NLEX Road Warriors to pull off a 103-97 victory in the 2023 PBA on Tour over the weekend at the Baliwag Star Arena in Baliwag, Bulacan.
The Hotshots were comfortably ahead at 100-93 with under two minutes in the game but the Road Warriors got a free throw from Aklanon Kris Rosales and a triple from Kevin Alas to cut the deficit to 97-100.
The Hotshots, however, got a timely three-point conversion from Jed Mendoza to extend the advantage to six points with under a minute left in the game and seal their third win in as many games.
Jackson Corpuz led the way for the Hotshots with 19 points, while James Laput registered double-double 18 points and 12 rebounds as they picked up the slack from injured Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva.
Jerrick Ahanmisi contributed 15 points, Rome Adler dela Rosa chipped in 12 markers, while Paul Lee dropped 11 points for the Hotshots and Mendoza had eight points and five rebounds in the win.
“Si coach Chito (Victolero) is a really great players’ coach. He sees that we’re putting in the efforts day in and day out and he’s giving us the chance,” said Laput, who was named as the Player of the Game in the win.
The Hotshots created an early 26-16 separation behind early hits from Corpuz, Mendoza and Laput but the Road Warriors countered with three successive treys to cut the deficit to 25-26.
The Road Warriors continued its run in the second quarter behind newcomer Benedict Adamos as they outscored the Hotshots, 28-19, and established a 53-45 halftime advantage.
The Hotshots, however, turned things around in the third quarter with Corpuz spearheading their run as they build a 75-67 edge, which later grew to 91-78 via a three-pointer from Ahanmisi.
Adamos top-scored with 18 points, including four three-point conversions, Alas and Celedonio Trollano added 15 markers each, while Elvin Jake Pascual and Dominick Fajardo had 14 and 12, respectively. They dropped to 0-3.
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 103 – Corpuz 19, Laput 18, Ahanmisi 15, Dela Rosa 12, Lee 12, Mendoza 8, Eriobu 7, Barroca 6, Jalalon 6, Tratter 0, Murrell 0.
NLEX 97 – Adamos 18, Trollano 15, Alas 15, Pascual 14, Fajardo 12, Rosales 8, Galanza 7, Doliguez 5, Miranda 3.
Quarterscores: 26-25, 45-53, 75-67, 103-97./PN
