The Magnolia Hotshots leaned on Paul Lee to steer them back to the win column in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
All Paul Lee needed were two minutes and 14 seconds to power a pivotal run for Magnolia.
Within that stretch in the fourth period, Lee swished a pair of four-pointers and scored on a breakaway layup as the Hotshots fended off NorthPort, 106-97, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
Lee put up a vintage performance in the heritage province, putting up 16 points, five rebounds and six assists.
His efforts allowed the Hotshots to restore order after Rain or Shine stained their erstwhile spotless record. They now tote a 7-1 card.
Magnolia shattered an 85-all count as Paul Lee poured 10 points to help his team build a nine-point buffer, 97-88, with 5:18 remaining.
The Hotshots held on to their advantage, with Mark Barroca and Aris Dionisio putting the finishing touches to the victory.
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But as Magnolia was about to wrap up the match, an altercation between Dionisio and NorthPort’s Sidney Onwubere ensued with 29.5 ticks left to play.
It started when Onwubere unnecessarily bumped Zavier Lucero in front of Magnolia’s bench. Dionisio saw that and confronted the Batang Pier forward.
Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed.
Lucero topscored for Magnolia with 20 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks, while Barroca had an all-around outing with his 15 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Peter Alfaro shot 13 for the Hotshots, who kept NorthPort drowning in sorrow with its sixth straight loss against a solitary win.
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William Navarro starred for the Batang Pier with 27 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and four steals, but his stellar outing went down the drain.
Onwubere scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Jio Jalalon had 16 points, six rebounds and two steals, and Joshua Munzon added 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Magnolia vs. NorthPort scores:
MAGNOLIA 106 – Lucero 20, Lee 16, Barroca 15, Alfaro 13, Lastimosa 10, Dionisio 10, Abueva 8, Sangalang 7, Dela Rosa 5, Eriobu 2, Mendoza 0, Escoto 0, Ahanmisi 0.
NORTHPORT 97 – Navarro 27, Onwubere 19, Jalalon 16, Munzon 14, Kwekuteye 9, Nelle 7, Yu 3, Flores 2, Cuntapay 0, Bulanadi 0.
Quarterscores: 32-27, 51-53, 74-75, 106-97.