MAGNOLIA made a crucial run in a seven-minute stretch bridging the last two quarters and repulsed TNT, 88-83, in a vital tiff to seal a Top Four finish in the PBA Philippine Cup elims at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila Friday.
Rome dela Rosa, Zavi Lucero, Rafi Reavis and Aris Dionisio conspired in 16-to-nothing roll as the Hotshots seized a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter and hung tough to claim the win for an 8-3 closing card.
Lucero finished with a game-high 24 points while William Navarro and Mark Barroca chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively, as the Hotshots checked a skid and finally secured a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
As they recovered from back-to-back losses to Barangay Ginebra and NLEX, coach Chito Victolero's threw a wrench on TNT's own drive, sending the Tropang 5G to a 6-5 windup.
Coach Chot Reyes' wards are to finish outside the Magic Four and will carry a twice-to-win disadvantage going to the quarterfinals.
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TNT, the Governors' Cup and Commissioner's Cup titlist, will be seeded sixth or seven, needing to win two in a row in the quarterfinals to make the next round and keep alive its grand slam aspiration.
The Tropang 5G and the Hotshots were engaged in a dogfight before Magnolia came through with a key run from 63-66 down late in the third and opened a twin-digit deficit.
TNT failed to recover from that Magnolia assault and reeled down to a second straight loss after a 78-97 blowout by Barangay Ginebra the last time out.
RR Pogoy fired 18 points to pace TNT which also drew double-digit outputs from Calvin Oftana (with 15), Poy Erram (12), Jordan Heading (12) and Kelly Williams (10).
Before Magnolia's crucial tear, neither team led by more than nine through the first 30 minutes of the contest.
TNT took the opening quarter at 23-21 then Magnolia grabbed a 49-43 lead at halftime.(SB)
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The scores:
Magnolia 88 - Lucero 24, Navarro 13, Barroca 11, Sangalang 9, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Dela Rosa 7, Lastimosa 6, Reavis 4, Laput 0, Alfaro 0.
TNT 83 Pogoy 18, Oftana 15, Erram 12, Heading 12, Williams 10, Khobuntin 7, Aurin 7, Galinato 2, Varilla 0, Enciso 0, Vosotros 0, Heruela 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 49-43, 66-69, 88-83
