Magnolia Hotshots import Tyler Bey in Game 4 of the PBA Finals vs San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Import Tyler Bey played spectacularly on both ends all of Friday night as Magnolia nipped San Miguel, 96-85, leveling the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship series to two games apiece.
Bey, who was visibly stunned after losing in the race for the Best Import award, delivered 26 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals to help the Hotshots annex a second win after dropping the first two meetings of their best-of-seven finale with the Beermen.
“T-Bey embraced his matchup with Bennie (Boatwright Jr.),” said coach Chito Victolero on the heels of the triumph at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “He is a very smart player. He realized that he could also play on both ends of the floor.”
Magnolia’s Tyler Bey and coach Chito Victolero after their Game 4 win in the #PBAFinals over San Miguel.
The series is now tied at 2-2. Game 5 on Sunday. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/8AEN8nN73f
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 9, 2024
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“[But] everyone embraced our defensive mindset, embraced that we are the underdogs in this series,” he went on.
Mark Barroca and Paul Lee both finished with 14 points, with the latter nailing a stinging long-distance triple to give the Hotshots a 94-83 edge with 1:53 left.
Ian Sangalang chipped in 14 points, while Calvin Abueva nine in the effort that spoiled the coronation of Best Player of the Conference CJ Perez.
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June Mar Fajardo led the way for San Miguel with 18 points and 13 rebounds but was walking gingerly during a two-minute action in the fourth period. Perez had 17 while Boatwright Jr. was limited to just 16 points, his lowest ever during his stint with the Beermen.
Magnolia, now armed with momentum, will try to wrest control of the series on Sunday at the same venue.