Magnolia’s Mark Barroca –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia held off a charge led by Mikey Williams and defeated TNT, 92-88, on Friday to tie at 1-1 their 2022 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mark Barroca made 16 of his 22 points in the second half as the Hotshots prevailed despite multiple tries by the Tropang Giga to overhaul a big deficit behind Williams’ hot shooting.
Held to three points in the first half, Williams sizzled for 25 after halftime but Magnolia still prevented TNT from making it two in a row in the best-of-seven affair.
“We want to put the pressure back on them [TNT] ,” Ian Sangalang, who also delivered for the Hotshots with 20 points and eight rebounds, said in Filipino.
The Hotshots got back at the defending champions after a listless showing in Game 1 that resulted in a 108-96 defeat.
Back to the form that enabled them to beat the NLEX Road Warriors in a very difficult quarterfinal series, Magnolia led from the start with Sangalang putting up eight in the first quarter.
Despite trailing 39-29 at the break, TNT threatened multiple times in the third as Williams knocked down shots from long range. But Barroca countered those with baskets of his own and a Calvin Abueva three at the buzzer made it 69-58 in favor of Magnolia going into the fourth.
The lead increased to 77-58, but Williams exploded anew which brought TNT to within single digits. His efforts, however, were futile as Magnolia held on until the end.
The scores:
MAGNOLIA 92 — Barroca 22, Sangalang 20, Abueva 18, Lee 10, Reavis 9, Wong 5, Jalalon 4, Dela Rosa 2, Laput 2, Dionisio 0.
TNT 88 — M.Williams 28, Castro 17, Erram 13, Pogoy 11, Rosario 10, K.Williams 6, Montalbo 3, Khobuntin 0, Alejandro 0, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0
Quarters: 18-12, 39-29, 69-58, 92-88.