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MANILA, Philippines — Paul Lee took over down the stretch and streaking Magnolia held off Rain or Shine, 70-62, in the PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center in Angeles, Pampanga.
Lee fired a game-high 31 points, highlighted by a pair of tough baseline fadeaway jumpers in the final one minute and 10 seconds that staved off a comeback by the Elasto Painters.
The Hotshots kept rolling with their fourth consecutive win after starting the conference with a 1-4 record. They are now tied with defending champion San Miguel Beer in sixth place with similar 5-4 records.
“We just refocused ourselves. We went back to basics and we executed the right way in offense,” Lee said.
Magnolia, which outscored Rain or Shine, 20-5, in the second quarter, took a 20-point lead early in the third period.
But the Hotshots still needed Lee to come through in the clutch after the Painters pulled with one, 62-61, after two free throws from Jewel Ponferada with 3:28 remaining.
Ian Sangalang responded with Magnolia’s first basket in over five minutes before Jio Jalalon sank a jumper off a Lee assist gave Magnolia a 66-61 cushion.
With Rain or Shine still threatening, Lee put the game away and dealt the Painters their third straight loss.
Sangalang added 14 points and five rebounds while Mark Barroca had eight points, including a buzzer-beating triple at the end of the third quarter, and four rebounds.
Kris Rosales had 14 points and eight rebounds for Rain or Shine, which shot just 26 percent from the field. The Painters dropped to 4-4.