PBA: Magnolia rallies to beat San Miguel in OT for 3-0 start

Magnolia guard Jerom Lastimosa against San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup.-PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia overcame a 14-point deficit to pull off a 98-95 overtime victory over San Miguel Beer and take the solo lead in the PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa came through with key plays in the fourth quarter and the extension before Mark Barroca knocked down the important shots that secured the Hotshots’ win and a spotless 3-0 record.

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The triumph came despite trailing by 14 against a San Miguel team that also came to the contest having won its first two games.

But the Hotshots managed to orchestrate a rally with Lucero and Lastimosa, who would finish with 24 and 21 points, respectively.

Barroca, meanwhile, scored back-to-back jumpers that eventually put Magnolia ahead even as San Miguel couldn’t convert with Don Trollano missing a corner three in the game’s final possession.

June Mar Fajardo and Juami Tiongson scored 17 points apiece but the Beermen dropped to a 2-1 record, good for second in the standings.

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San Miguel seemed to be in control when it led 58-44 on Fajardo’s basket with under seven minutes left in the third.

But the Magnolia youth movement led by Lucero and Lastimosa led to a big fourth quarter comeback, and even led 86-85 with 44 seconds to go on Ian Sangalang’s basket.

Tiongson converted a tough shot to put San Miguel back ahead, but Lastimosa split his free throws that sent the game to overtime knotted at 87-all.

Fajardo gave SMB its final lead, 95-94, time down to one minute in overtime before Barroca connected on the crucial shots that propelled Magnolia to victory.