Lee sparks Hotshots in win over KaTropa
MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia flipped the switch in the second half to end its slump in the nightcap of Wednesday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup action at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Hotshots banked on the hot hands of Paul Lee to pull off a 111-89 win, arresting their three-game skid and at the same time snapping TNT’s four-game win streak.
Lee uncorked 17 of his 25 points — all in the third period — as his teammates took turns in the final frame to add to the lead, including new import Justin Jackson.
"For the last two weeks we had different imports, so we had problems with chemistry. But I told my players try to find ways how to win games and I’m very proud and very happy that they responded to my challenge,” head coach Chito Victorlero said.
“‘Do-or-die’— ‘yun ‘yung mentality namin ngayon,” he added.
Jackson accounted for 15 points in that second-half assault that saw Magnolia lead by as many as 24 points.
Terrene Romeo paced KaTropa with 17 points. Roger Pogoy chimed in 16 more. Joshua Smith, despite having a much bigger frame and longer acclimation with TNT, was only able to contribute 12 points.
Magnolia seeks to build momentum when they take on a slumping Barangay Ginebra on Sunday. TNT, on the other hand, will try to return to the win column against San Miguel the day before.
The scores:
MAGNOLIA 111 — Lee 25, Jackson 18, Brondial 16, Jalalon 13, Barroca 9, Ramos 9, Melton 7, Dela Rosa 5, Simon 3, Herndon 2, Pascual 2, Reavis 2.
TNT 89 — Romeo 17, Pogoy 16, Smith 12, Castro 9, Reyes 9, Semerad 7, Williams 6, Rosario 5, Cruz 4, Taha 2, Trollano 2, Carey 0.
Quarters: 18-25, 43-48, 79-73, 111-89.
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