PBA: Top-seeded Magnolia stuns San Miguel

MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados Hotshots defeated San Miguel Beermen 88-80 in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, giving them their first series victory.

In a crucial game that might have dropped Magnolia to 0-3, the Hotshots put on a defensive clinic, stopping the scorching San Miguel club, which had been a dominant offensive team.

The Chicken Timplados caused a pair of errors from the Beermen right away, swiping the ball and converting it into two straught baskets for Mark Barroca, who led 4-0.

The Hotshots maintained their momentum in the second quarter, increasing their lead to ten points owing to Jio Jalalon’s exceptional ability to orchestrate the Magnolia offense.

However, the Beermen rallied back and went on a run of their own, trimming the margin to three points, 39-42, before halftime.

Hotshots, on the other hand, went nuts in the fourth quarter, due to Barroca, Paul Lee, and Aris Dionisio’s crisp shooting from beyond the arc.

With only 11 minutes left in the game, the trio led a 13-2 run that extended their lead to 76-62, thanks to baskets from Barroca and three-pointers from Lee and Dionisio.

The Hotshots ultimately stopped San Miguel’s 11-game winning streak with an Ian Sangalang hoop at the 5:55 mark, which stretched Magnolia’s lead to 16 points, 80-64.

This was SMB’s weakest scoring game of the series, as the Beermen were restricted to less than 80 points after averaging 106 in the prior two games.

“If we limit them to less than 90 points, we have a better chance of winning the game,” Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said during the postgame news conference.

“Everyone stepped up defensively, and we hit some big shots, especially Aris Dionisio down the stretch,” the coach said.

According to Victolero, the two-day break between Games 2 and 3 was critical and beneficial for a battle-weary Magnolia team who ended their series against Phoenix in the semifinals just days before playing SMB.

“The factor is the two-day rest. Naka-recover yung body namin. We had a hard time doing our defensive schemes beca are only humans, nakakaramdam in ng pagod,” he explained.

“Nagawa rin namin yung game plan. Malaking factor na may energy kami,” he said.

Barroca turned back time and led the Magnolia Hotshots with 20 points, six assists, and four rebounds. Lee contributed a series-high 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

Tyler Bey, Sangalang, and Dionisio all contributed to the team’s triumph, each scoring 11 points.

Meanwhile, Bennie Boatwright led SMB’s scoring with 27 points and 13 rebounds. CJ Perez scored 16 points, while June Mar Farado and Jeron Teng added 11 and 10, respectively.

Magnolia will attempt to build on their first triumph when they face San Miguel in Finals Game 4 on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.