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Magnolia import Clint Chapman in action. PBA Images
MANILA — Magnolia forced a do-or-die match in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
Despite squandering a 19-point lead, the Hotshots held on to beat Meralco, 95-89, to keep their semifinals bid alive on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Jerom Lastimosa made up for two missed free-throws 20.5 seconds left on the fourth-quarter clock, grabbing the offensive rebound to earn another trip to the line after a Chris Newsome duty foul for a 93-88 lead.
CJ Cansino split his shots on the charity stripe that put them within one, 93-89, then Paul Lee showed how it was done, sealing the win with two free-throw conversions for a 95-89 count that turned out to be the final score.
READ: PBA: Bol, TNT fend off top-ranked NLEX to stay alive
Before that, it was Newsome who kept the Bolts within striking distance, asserting his way to the rim 22.6 ticks left, 91-88.
Newsome temporarily gave the Bolts the advantage at the 84-83 mark, but Lastimosa and Clint Chapman made a free-throw and a crucial three to regain the lead.
With the win, the Hotshots mirrored the result earlier in the day, where twice-to-win TNT emerged triumphant over top-ranked NLEX to stay afloat in the import-laced conference.
Chapman finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds to go with two treys, while Lastimosa contributed 17 markers. Ian Sangalang was named Player of the Game with 10 points and three rebounds, as Rome dela Rosa added 11 points.
On the other hand, Meralco still has a chance despite the loss due to their playoff bonus earned as number four seed.
Newsome paced the Bolts with 23 points, while reinforcement Marvin Jones chipped in 16 points and six rebounds.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 95 – Chapman 21, Lastimosa 17, Dela Rosa 11, Sanagalang 10, Gomez de Liano 9, Baroca 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
QUARTERS: 24-22, 50-40, 73-57, 95-89