Paul Lee leads Magnolia to a third straight win. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia chalked up its third straight win at the expense of woeful TerraFirma, 103-89, in the PBA Philippine Cup Thursday at Angeles University Foundation.
The Hotshots improved to a 4-4 slate and maintained their hold of the eighth seed in the conference while the Dyip dropped to a miserable 0-7 card.
TerraFirma was still in the game at the end of the half trailing by just two, 48-46, but the Hotshots ramped up their aggression in the third outscoring the Dyip 28-14 take a commanding 76-60 lead heading into the fourth.
Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero admitted they struggled for a bit in the first half after playing two games in as many days.
“It was a very hard game last night and my worry, together with my coaching staff, was how the players will recover,” said Victolero, whose team beat TNT 102-92 on Wednesday, in Filipino.
“We told the players that they have to rest tonight [Wednesday] and tomorrow the most important thing is to get the win because this game was very important for us.”
Paul Lee lit up for 29 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and 10-of-11 from the stripe to lead Magnolia while Rome dela Rosa added 17 points.
Ian Sangalang finished with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double to add to the Hotshots’ offense with Jackson Corpuz pitching in 10 points and six boards.
CJ Perez had 19 points, four rebounds, and three steals to lead TerraFirma.