Magnolia improved to a 4-3 record after escaping Terrafirma in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Thursday, Sept. 12.
Magnolia hung tough for a nail-biting 99-98 decision against Terrafirma in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Thursday, Sept.12.
The Hotshots thus denied the Dyip of a breakthrough in the seesaw battle after reasserting their mastery over the squad, whom they have beaten 19 straight times dating back to the 2016 Governors’ Cup.
Magnolia instead wound up with a 4-3 record while keeping Terrafirma winless in seven outings in Group A.
New import Shabazz Muhammad nailed the game-winning runner with 8.1 ticks left to play for the Hotshots to regain the lead in the back-and-forth finish and eventually take home the victory.
In the final play, Terrafirma could not get a good look as Kevin Ferrer put up a wayward heave as time expired.
Before Muhammad’s shot that brought the crowd at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium into a frenzy, Paul Lee drained a crucial four-pointer to turn a 93-95 deficit to a 97-95 lead for Magnolia with only 21.6 seconds remaining.
But the Dyip, eager to barge into the win column, would not raise the white flag just yet as rookie Paolo Hernadez showed steely nerves to sink his own shot from deep, but through a stepback triple from the right wing, to regain the lead for his team, 97-98, at the 17.1 mark.
Unfortunately for Terrafirma, Muhammad happened.
“I know it’s an ugly win, but I will take it,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
Before Muhammad and Lee delivered the final blows, it was Zavier Lucero who was unleashing the jabs.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Zavier Lucero admits to engaging in 'friendly trash talk' with former NorthPort teammates]
Lucero earned Player of the Game honors after finishing with 17 points, five rebounds and three blocks.
[ALSO READ: PBA players Evan Nelle, Venky Jois, Zavier Lucero share their 'puppy love']
Though saddled by foul trouble, Muhammad topscored for the Hotshots with 20. Calvin Abueva added 15 markers.
Reinforcement Antonio Hester paced the Dyip with 39 points, 16 rebounds and five assists.
Kevin Ferrer and Stanley Pringle had 18 and 17 points, respectively.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 99 – Muhammad 20, Lucero 17, Abueva 15, Ahanmisi 9, Lee 9, Sangalang 8, Dionisio 8, Barroca 7, Mendoza 3, Eriobu 2, Reavis 1, Laput 0, Alfaro 0, Balanza 0.
TERRAFIRMA 98 – Hester 39, Ferrer 18, Pringle 17, Hernandez 7, Olivario 6, Ramos 5, Cahilig 3, Sangalang 3, Carino 0, Hanapi 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 48-44, 69-71, 99-98