MANILA – Ian Sangalang came up with huge baskets in the endgame to let Magnolia Hotshots prevail over Alaska Aces, 84-82, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Trailing 80-82 after a three-pointer by Aces’ Robbie Herndon, Sangalang scored on an inside hit to even the count at 82-all. He then followed it up with another one at the buzzer to surge the Hotshots to victory.
Sangalang concluded the match with 26 points, five rebounds, and two blocks, while Paul Lee chipped in 16 markers, with half coming in the fourth quarter, as the Hotshots tied Meralco Bolts and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with a 2-0 win-loss slate.
Rome dela Rosa and Andy Mark Barroca tallied 12 and 10 points, respectively, while Calvin Abueva hauled 10 rebounds and nine points in his second game with the Hotshots.
Both teams were into a tight exchange in most part of the game and even knotted the score at 68-all. Aiming to take the lead, the Hotshots posted a 78-72 advantage on consecutive hits by Abueva, dela Rosa, and Lee midway in the fourth quarter.
The Aces countered the attack with successive hits from Robbie Herndon and Yousef Taha to come 82-80 before Sangalang came up with his big plays for the Hotshots.
Taha finished with career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Jeron Teng and Abu Tratter recorded 10 markers apiece.
In the first game, NorthPort Batang Pier notched its first victory following a 115-79 rout of Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters. Robert Bolick, rookie Troy Rike, and Kevin Ferrer led the Batang Pier avalanche with 20 points each.
Meanwhile, as part of coronavirus disease 2019 health and safety protocols for TNT Tropang GIGA and Terrafirma Dyip, the PBA decided to amend the scheduled matches for Friday and Saturday.
The game for today was reduced to a double-header with defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings taking on Blackwater Bossing at three in the afternoon, followed by San Miguel Beermen against NLEX Road Warriors at six in the evening.
On Saturday, the first game at two in the afternoon will feature the Painters and the Bolts, while the second game at 4:35 in the afternoon will have the Aces and the Fuel Masters.
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 84 – Sangalang 26, Lee 15, Dela Rosa 12, Barroca 10, Abueva 9, Dionisio 5, Jalalon 4, Corpuz 2, Reavis 0, Ahanmisi 0.
ALASKA 82 – Taha 20, Tratter 10, Teng 10, Banal 9, Herndon 8, Casio 7, DiGregorio 6, Adamos 6, Ahanmisi 3, Brondial 3, Browne 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
26-25; 41-47; 65-66; 84-82./PN
