Lee rains 4-pointers for unbeaten Magnolia as tempers flare vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines, May 15 ------ Paul Lee rained four-pointers in the fourth quarter as Magnolia stayed perfect in the PBA Philippine Cup following a 117-92 blowout of Meralco at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Lee sank 3 of his 4 buckets from four-point distance in the final period and finished with a game-high 27 points, allowing the Hotshots to pull away in a physical game that saw the two teams nearly come to blows late. The Bolts were still within striking distance as they trailed 81-90 with over eight minutes left before Lee took charge, scoring 18 straight points to give Magnolia a commanding 108-86 lead. 

Lee drained four free throws, made a four-pointer, scored inside the paint, then buried his fourth and last four-point basket to break the game wide open. But even with the game practically over, tempers flared when Meralco veteran Cliff Hodge committed a flagrant foul on Hotshots forward Zavier Lucero with 2:16 minutes to play. Lucero stole the ball from Hodge, who proceeded to grab the head of the sophomore standout on their way down — an act that resembled a popular wrestling move. 

The two jawed at each other and the altercation spilled over to the officials’ table, with both teams clearing their benches before cooler heads prevailed. “We were ready for that. We give emphasis on toughness. We’re not backing down on anything. We give emphasis on the physicality of Meralco,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero. “It has always been like that — a defensive battle. We feel that the physicality was a little too much in the end, so that was why there was a little commotion.” 

Ian Sangalang backstopped Lee with 16 points and 9 rebounds, James Laput put up 11 points and 7 rebounds, while Rome dela Rosa added 11 points as well. Lucero finished with all-around numbers of 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and 2 blocks as the Hotshots extended their unbeaten run to six games, adding the defending champions to their list of victims. 

Mark Barroca also made his presence felt with 9 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds. Chris Banchero tallied 20 points with 5 rebounds to lead six Meralco players in double-figure scoring, but the balanced scoring did not prevent the Bolts’ slide. Meralco absorbed its second straight loss and fifth overall in its first eight games, although it also endured a similar 3-5 start when it won the All-Filipino crown last season. Chris Newsome chalked up 14 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals, Raymond Almazan contributed 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Bong Quinto chimed in 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in the loss. 

The Scores 

Magnolia 117 – Lee 27, Sangalang 16, Dela Rosa 11, Laput 11, Lucero 11, Lastimosa 9, Barroca 9, Alfaro 9, Abueva 8, Escoto 2, Dionisio 0, Ahanmisi 0, Mendoza 0. 

Meralco 92 – Banchero 20, Newsome 14, Almazan 13, Quinto 13, Hodge 10, Black 10, Cansino 8, Bates 4, Jose 0, Rios 0, Pasaol 0, Torres 0. 

Quarters: 30-19, 55-45, 82-73, 117-92. 

Source: rappler.com