Hotshots escape Dyip for crucial win

MANILA, Philippines -- The Magnolia Hotshots survived the gritty Terrafirma Dyip, 99-98, in a cardiac PBA Governors’ Cup matchup Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Magnolia fended off a massive game from Antonio Hester to grab the crucial victory and go up 4-3 in the conference, while sending the Dyip crashing to their seventh straight loss.

Shabazz Muhammad had a triumphant debut for Magnolia, scattering 20 points and four rebounds. But more than the impressive numbers is the game-winning floater that towed the Hotshots to victory.

With Terrafirma leading by four, 95-91, with 2:27 remaining after a Stanley Pringle jumper, Zav Lucero sank a layup to cut the lead to two, 93-95.

After Pringle missed on a layup on the other end, Jerrick Ahanmisi dialed one up from 4-point territory, but missed.

Lucero was able to grab the rebound and the ball eventually found Paul Lee’s hands, who launched a quad-shot of his own that gave the Hotshots the lead, 97-95, with 21 seconds to go.

Rookie wing Paolo Hernandez, then, found the bottom of the net from 3-point territory to give Terrafirma back the lead, 98-97, with 15 seconds left.

After the timeout, Muhammad took matters into his own hands, spun off Andreas Cahilig and attempted a tough lefty floater over his defender’s outstretched arms which connected with 8.1 ticks remaining, 99-98.

The Dyip had two chances to go for the win, but Pringle lost the ball. Ferrer was able to regain possession but his heave from rainbow country missed everything, giving Magnolia the win.

“I know it’s an ugly win, but I’ll take it. One point, two points, three points, 10 points, 20 points, as long as we win the game,” Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero said after the game.

With the two teams battling it out in the first two quarters, Hester exploded for 18 of his 39 points in the third quarter as Terrafirma held on to a two point advantage, 71-69, heading into the fourth, setting the stage for the wild ending.

Zav Lucero had 17 points and five rebounds, while Calvin Abueva finished with 15 markers and seven boards.

Hester led Terrafirma with his game-high 39 to go with 16 rebounds and five assists. Ferrer and Pringle backstopped with 18 and 17, respectively.

Magnolia will face the red-hot TNT Tropang Giga next Tuesday, while Terrafirma will try to finally get on the winning column against the Converge FiberXers on Saturday.