When Magnolia Hotshots veteran guard Paul Lee caught fire in the fourth period, reigning titlist Meralco Bolts simply didn’t stand a chance.
When the four-point line was introduced in the PBA's 49th season, not a few fans pointed to Paul Lee as the player who would probably benefit the most from the new gimmick.
They were proven right, especially in Magnolia’s 117-92 dismantling of Meralco in the season-ending Philippine Cup Wednesday night, May 14.
Lee let the ball fly from that range five times, making four of them on his way to 27 points as the Hotshots maintained their place atop the heap with a perfect 6-0 card.
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Three of those shots he made in the fourth period, where he dropped 18 of his total output that sucked the life out of the Bolts.
“Nothing special naman. Sabi ko nga, credit sa mga teammates ko. We have 25 assists ngayong game na 'to. Consistent kami sa aspect na 'yon. Nagkataon lang na ako ang natutukan ngayon, sa'kin 'yong open shots,” said Lee, whose team outgunned the Bolts, 35-19 in the final canto.
“In our previous games, laging fiesta si Zavier Lucero kasi siya ang naiiwan na open. Ngayon, ako 'yong nandoon sa spot na 'yon. Luckily, I made all those shots.”
Ian Sangalang complemented Lee with his 16-point and nine-rebound output, while Lucero and James Laput added 11 markers and seven boards alike.
Rome dela Rosa also chipped in 11 markers in a highly physical match that was marred by a late-game altercation involving Lucero, Cliff Hodge and Raymond Almazan.
“Kami naman, ganoon lang ang mindset namin. Ang mindset namin is malayo pa 'to. We experienced this before. Ang mga experiences namin before, dinadala lang namin dito,” said Magnolia mentor Chito Victolero.
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Meralco was really in the game for the most part.
After Magnolia’s punishing 11-0 run in the third that buried the reigning titleholder by 17 points, 66-49, the Bolts dug deep to end the frame with a single-digit deficit at 73-82.
Lee then took charge for the Hotshots, and Meralco ran out of power, absorbing a fifth defeat in eight games.
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Chris Banchero paced the Bolts with 20 points and five rebounds.
Chris Newsome added 14 markers, three boards, four assists, and two steals, while Bong Quinto and Raymond Almazan had 13 points each.
Magnolia vs Meralco 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.
Quarterscores: 30-19, 55-45, 82-73, 117-92.