Magnolia import Mike Harris. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia managed to weather TNT’s late-game storm to come away with the 96-93 win and preserve its perfect start in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots chalked up their fourth win in a row while the Tropang Giga dropped to a 2-3 record.
Despite holding double digit leads for much of the game, Magnolia allowed the Tropang Giga to get to within one, 91-90, after Kib Montalbo sunk a three-pointer capping his team’s 8-0 run with 48 seconds to play.
TNT, however, committed two terrible plays down the stretch, first when Montalbo sent Paul Lee to the line that gave Magnolia a 95-91 lead with 24 seconds left.
Harris is pumped up! And-1! #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/3ZbPovBy7U
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Mikey Williams then tripped on his own foot and turned the ball over with 19.1 seconds left.
“We settled down during that run,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero, whose team led by 14, 71-57, late in the third.
“We had a good start, 3-0, but we need this close game to execute our offense and defense.”
Mike Harris was near unstoppable for the Hotshots with 41 points and 18 rebounds while Lee added 15 points and five boards.
Mark Barroca also finished in double figures with 14 points, six rebounds, and seven assists for Magnolia.
Aaron Fuller had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead TNT.