Magnolia leaned on Calvin Abueva and Paul Lee's timely sniping to spoil the conference debut of TNT, 94-92, in their 2022-23 PBA Commissioner's Cup collision Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Magnolia forward Jackson Corpuz accidentally fell on import Nick Rakocevic after colliding with TNT's Roger Pogoy, hurting the Serbian reinforcement's right knee in the process heading into the halfway point of the final quarter.
But instead of losing their focus, the Hotshots found a way to win with Abueva and Lee on the firing end. The duo helped the Hotshots overcome an 11-point deficit en route to their third straight win.
"We're happy to win the game, but we're sad Rakocevic got hurt. We pray it's just a minor injury, mahirap maghanap ng import na tugma sa laro ng isang team," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose team lost to TNT in the recent Philippine Cup semifinal series.
Rakocevic was at his usual element after scoring 22 points and grabbing 15 rebounds prior to the untimely injury.
Still, the Hotshots showed their depth and resolve.
Abueva, nicknamed the "Beast", led Magnolia with 25 points and nine rebounds in a near double-double output.
Lee, on the other hand, added 16 points, including the game-winning foul shots that sealed the outcome of the game.
TNT came in with a severe handicap after playing without injured star Jayson Castro, Mikey Williams and Glen Khohuntin, as well as slot man Poy Erram, who is serving his one-game suspension.
In the absence of several key personnel, import Cameron Oliver fired 43 points, laced with seven triples, hauled down 17 rebounds and issued five assists in a solid PBA debut for TNT.
Pogoy added 23 while newly-acquired Calvin Oftana chipped in 12 and seven boards in his first game as a Tropang Giga.
TNT's bench, however, only produced seven points compared to Magnolia's 55.
The victory pole vaulted Magnolia to a share of the lead in the standings with idle Bay Area Dragons at 3-0.
