Magnolia did everything right to essay an 88-80 win over San Miguel in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
Mark Barroca led the charge for the Hotshots, pouring in 20 points he complemented with four rebounds, six assists and two steals to lift the squad to its first win in the best-of-seven series.
Paul Lee added 12 points, including the bank shot that halted a mini run by the Beermen with two minutes remaining.
Ian Sangalang and Tyler Bey chipped in 11 points each, while Rome dela Rosa and Calvin Abueva combined for 13 markers.
“The key factor, I think, is the two-day rest,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose team hardly had a respite after an extended series against Phoenix in the semifinals.
“Medyo naka-recover 'yung bodies namin. We had a hard time to do our defensive schemes because of, I don’t want to make any excuses, but we’re only human, nakakaramdam rin ng pagod.”
The Hotshots were indeed able to do what they do best, clamping down on defense to limit the Beermen to under 88 points.
Even San Miguel's prolific import in Bennie Boatwright, though he finished with 27 points, only shot 10-of-28 from the field.
“Nagawa namin 'yung defensive mindset namin. That is, to limit our opponents under 88 points,” Victolero added.
Dominant in the first two games of their titular showdown, the Beermen just could not whip up something to make things interesting.
After falling into a 16-point hole, San Miguel could only come as close as nine, 84-75, after Boatwright’s five straight points with under three minutes to go.
Lee, though, was quick to extinguish the fire and the Hotshots held on for the much-needed victory in the series.
Perez had 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block for the Beermen. June Mar Fajardo produced 11 markers and collared 13 boards while Jeron Teng added 10 points, three rebounds and the same number of assists.
Game Four is set on Friday at the same venue. It will also air live on RPTV, A2Z, PBA Rush, and the Pilipinas Live app.
