Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 16) – Mike Harris and Paul Lee delivered the clutch plays for Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots as they stretched their unbeaten record to five games with an 112-109 escape of NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Harris and Lee made crucial baskets in the last four minutes of the game to keep the Hotshots at the lead, after an underwhelming performance in the third quarter that saw the Road Warriors widen their margin to 14 points.
The nail in the coffin of NLEX, who lost their third straight game after starting the current Governors’ Cup with a 4-0 slate, was made by the 6-foot-6 veteran import from Texas as he scored a driving lay-up with 12 seconds remaining in the game.
Harris finished with 31 points and 10 rebounds, while Lee added 21 markers and four assists for the win.
“We had a bad start, but the second group saved us today. The bench saved us today. I credit to them and they gave us the energy,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero, who lamented the Hotshots’ lackluster defense in the first half.
Magnolia, which is reeling from the loss of energetic player Calvin Abueva due to a calf muscle strain injury, scored 41 points from its bench players led by Ian Sangalang with 14 points and guard Jio Jalalon with nine markers and 11 assists.
NLEX reinforcement KJ McDaniels led the Yeng Guiao-mentored squad with 35 points and 13 rebounds while guard Kevin Alas contributed 22 points for the Road Warriors, who controlled the lead in the first three quarters before collapsing in the final canto.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 112 – Harris 31, Lee 21, Sangalang 14, Barroca 11, Jalalon 9, Wong 8, Dionisio 7, Corpuz 6, Ahanmisi 5, Reavis 0
NLEX 109 – McDaniels 35, Alas 22, Trollano 18, Cruz 12, Quinahan 8, Nieto 7, Soyud 5, Porter 2, Varilla 0, Rosales 0, Paniamogan 0, Ighalo 0
Quarterscores: 22-25, 54-56, 77-88, 112-109
