Magnolia forces sudden-death with Meralco

Sports

THE Magnolia Hotshots squandered a 19-point lead but recovered in time to beat the Meralco Bolts, 95-89, in the quarterfinal round of the 50th PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday night, May 13, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The hard-earned win gave the No. 5 seed Hotshots a chance to overhaul a twice-to-win handicap, dragging the No. 4 seed Bolts to a sudden-death match slated Saturday, May 16.

It will be actually a do-or-die twinbill on Saturday as the No. 8 seed Tropang 5G also sent their quartefinal showdown with the top-ranked NLEX Road Warriors to a rubbermatch after winning in their initial encounter, 99-96.

NLEX and Meralco are twice-to-beat in the series for being the higher seeds.

Clint Chapman led Magnolia by dropping 21 points, including a three-pointer in the final 2:31 that gave the Hotshots the lead for good, 87-84.

Chapman also had 12 rebounds.

Jerom Lastimosa 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Rome dela Rosa contributed 11 points while Ian Sangalang had 10.

Chris Newsome led the Bolts with 23 points with import Marvin Jones adding 16.

THE SCORES:

MAGNOLIA (95) – Chapman 21, Lastimosa 17, Dela Rosa 11, Sangalang 10, Barroca 9, Gomez De Liano 9, Lucero 9, Lee 9, Alfaro 0, Verano 0, Andrada 0.

MERALCO (89) – Newsome 23, Jones 16, Quinto 10, Black 9, Mocon 8, Cansino 7, Banchero 6, Brickman 5, Hodge 3, Bates 2.QUARTERSCORES: 24-22, 50-40, 73-57, 95-89.(CCM)