Sangalang Ian Sangalang of Magnolia looks to make a play in this bit of action in the PBA Philippine Cup. The Hotshots won. PBA photo

‘Beast’ saves day for Magnolia

September 18, 2021 Robert Andaya 658 views

MAGNOLIA Pambansang Manok leaned on Calvin Abueva’s game-winner –a short jumper — just before time expired to bring down NorthPort, 90-89, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Abueva, nicknamed the “Beast”, made the basket after Kevin Ferrer put the Batang Pier ahead for the last time at 89-88, with 2.6 seconds left.

Ferrer also drew the sixth and final foul of Ian Sangalang of Magnolia.

Ferrer, however, failed to complete a three-point play and allowed the Hotshots to draw the game-winning play.

“That’s a designed play, a backscreen to Calvin ala-alley-oop. And then kung wala iyon next option si Paul (Lee),”said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

“We talked about our focus, at the same time what’s at stake in this game,” added Victolero after Magnolia’s seventh win in 10 games,

With the win, the Hotshots also joined Talk N Text in the eight-team quarterfinal round.

Sangalang led the Hotshots with a double-double performance of 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Abueva added 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals and Paul Lee contributed 13 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Greg Slaughter returned from a two-game absence and led Batang Pier with 21 points and eight rebounds.

Sean Anthony also had 16 points, six rebounds and three assists for NorthPort, which dropped to 4-5 in a tie with Barangay Ginebra.

Later, San Miguel Beer outclassed Phoenix Super LPG, 1110-80, to clinch a quarterfinals berth; and Alaska Milk toppled Barangay Ginebra, 89-75, to keep its hopes alive.

CJ Perez scattered 24 points, Mo Tautuaa added 19 point and June Mar Fajardo contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Beermen, who improved to 6-4.

Phoenix dropped to 4-7.

Meanwhile, Meralco guns for its seventh win against winless Blackwater at 2 p.m. today.

The Bolts, however, will again play minus key players Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge, who have yet to get clearance to play after going through the league’s health and safety protocols.

“We have another big game on Saturday against Blackwater. Hopefully, if we can get that then we’ll have a decent chance of trying to go for the twice-to-beat,” said Meralco coach Norman Black following the Bolt’ 95-83 win over Terrafirma last Thursday.

Black’s son, Aaron, last year’s best rookie who injured his right hand early in the Dyip game, is also a doubtful starter.

The scores:

First game
Magnolia (90) – Sangalang 26, Abueva 15, Lee 13, Barroca 10, Dela Rosa 10, Ahanmisi 8, Dionisio 6, Jalalon 2, Corpuz 0, Reavis 0.
Northport (89) – Slaughter 21, Anthony 16, Malonzo 14, Taha 14, Bolick 10, Onwubere 4, Lanete 4, Balanza 2, Rike 2, Ferrer 2.
Quarterscores: 12-26, 44-47, 68-67, 90-89.

Second game
San Miguel Beer (110) – Perez 24, Tautuaa 19, Fajardo 18, Santos 16, Ross 9, Lassiter 8, Pessumal 5, Zamar 5, Romeo 3, Sena 3, Gotladera 0, Comboy 0, Gamalinda 0.
Phoenix (80) – Perkins 18, Banchero 13, Muyang 12, Garcia 11, Wright 10, Manuel 8, Chua 6, Jazul 2, Calisaan 0, Pascual 0, Melecio 0, Tamsi 0, Rios 0.
Quarterscores: 24-21, 55-47, 85-59, 110-80.

Third game
Alaska (89) – Tratter 13, DiGregorio 11, Herndon 10, Ahanmisi 10, Teng 10, Brondial 9, Marcelino 8, Banal 8, Casio 6, Adamos 4, Ilagan 0, Ebona 0.
Barangay Ginebra (75) – Pringle 20, Thompson 17, Standhardinger 9, Tenorio 8, Ayaay 7, Mariano 6, Devance 4, Dillinger 2, Tolentino 2, Caperal 0, R. Aguilar 0.
Quarterscores: 23-8; 43-25; 66-52; 89-75.

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