Magnolia claws back from 20 points down to beat defending champ San Miguel
The Magnolia Hotshots used a huge run to start the fourth quarter to defeat the reigning PBA Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer, 105-103, in Game 1 of their best-of-seven finals series last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Ian Sangalang, Jio Jalalon and rookie Robbie Herndon made crucial baskets in a telling 13-0 run to start the payoff period that paved the way for the huge comeback from 20 points down as Magnolia took an important 1-0 lead in the series.
Sangalang led the Hotshots with 29 points and nine rebounds. He scored four crucial points in the final two minutes that pushed Magnolia up, 105-103, with 16.5 seconds left.
San Miguel had two tries at either tying the game or winning it with a three pointer. Alex Cabagnot missed a trey on the first try and the Beermen fouled Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon with four seconds remaining.
Jalalon left the door open for San Miguel when he missed both freebies.
The Beermen, after a timeout, attempted a pass down to reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo but the ball was tapped by Magnolia’s Raffy Reavis. Arwind Santos managed to pick up the loose ball and immediately fired a jumper but the veteran Reavis again came up with a defensive stop, blocking Santos’ attempt as time expired.
Fajardo had 31 points and Cabagnot added 27 for the Beermen, which led, 72-52, early in the third period.
Game 2 is slated tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.