MAGNOLIA survived Mikey Williams’s 39-point outburst to score a 106-98 win over TNT Tropang Giga in Game 3 of the best-of-seven Finals of Season 46 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang displayed a sense of urgency throughout the game to bounce back from a sluggish performance in the previous two games that narrowed TNT’s series lead to 1-2.
Lee erupted for 21 points in the first three quarters on 7-of-14 shooting from the field, while Sangalang returned to his element by racking up 20 points on top of seven rebounds, five assists and four blocks to lead the Hotshots, who dominated the paint, 48-26.
Magnolia established a 95-77 cushion in the early going of the fourth quarter, but almost squandered that advantage when TNT came within 95-98 with 1:11 left behind the triple of Williams. The Hotshots though controlled the remaining minutes behind Rome Dela Rosa and Sangalang’s efforts to seal the victory.
Mark Andy Barroca had 16 points while Calvin Abueva hit 14 points and eight rebounds and Jio Jalalon made 11 points also for Magnolia.
TNT’s Troy Rosario suffered a dislocated finger in the middle of the third quarter and didn’t return.
Williams who shot 10 triples became the second rookie to have the highest output in a PBA finals game since Eric Menk of Tanduay posted 42 points in an All-Filipino title series against Shell in Game 3 which they lost in Ormoc City.
Magnolia tries to tie the series in Game 3 on Wednesday.
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