TWO down, two to go for Magnolia Pambansang Manok.

Magnolia defeated Meralco, 92-78, behind Paul Lee’s 28 points to .take a commanding 2-0 lead in their 2021 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals showdown at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Lee, who had five three-point shots, struck hardest in the second quarter as he scored 12 points to put the Hotshots ahead, 38-36 at halftime after falling behind 20-32.

The Pampaga duo of Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva also did well for the Hotshots who followed up their 88-79 win in the best-of-seven series opener last Sunday.

Sangalang contributed with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Abueva added 11 points and 11 rebounds for Magnolia, which needs only two more wins to reach the finals for the first time since 2018.

“Pinaghandaan naming lahat ng puwede nilang gawing options, especially on defense. Alam namin na this is a defensive battle,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero

“Halos lahat naman ng player ng Meralco, nagko-contribute, so wala kaming pwedeng piliin. Talagang 10 to 12 players, nagko-contribute. So it’s a team effort na ginawa namin.”

Chris Newsome led Meralco with 18 points and seven assists, followed by Reynel Hugnatan and Nard Pinto with 12 points apiece.

What made things difficult for Meralco was the departure of Raymond Almazan, who hurt his left ankle with 8:10 left in the third quarter, and Cliff Hodge, who was thrown out of the game for a flagrant foul on Abueva several minutes later.

Earlier, Marcio Lassiter hit the game-winner as San Miguel Beer rallied from the depth of a 20-point deficit to beat Talk N Text, 98-96, and even their own best-of-seven series at 1-1

Lassiter’s heroics came after Troy Rosario nailed a three-pointer to tie the score at 96-all with 5.6 seconds left.

June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos then missed their shots before Lassiter came from nowhere to deliver the game’s biggest basket.

“It’s pure heart and determination,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria after the game.

Terrence Romeo topscored with 26 points, including 22 in the second half, for the Beermen.

Fajardo axded 22.points.

The scores:

First game

San Miguel (98) – Romeo 26, Fajardo 22, Cabagnot 14, Santos 11, Tatuaa 8, Perez 8, Lassiter 7, Ross 2, Pessumal 0, Zamar 0, Gotladera 0, Comboy 0, Gamalinda 0, Sena 0.
Talk N Text (96) – Pogoy 21, Erram 20, Rosario 14, Williams 12, Marcelo 9, Castro 8, Heruela 5, Montalbo 3, Reyes 2, Khobuntin 2, Exciminiano 0, Alejandro 0,Javier 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 23-31, 46-53, 67-82, 98-96

Second game

Magnolia (92) – Lee 28, Sangalang 16, Abueva 11, Dela Rosa 8, Melton 6, Reavis 6, Corpuz 4, Jalalon 4, Barroca 4, Dionisio 3, Pascual 2, Brill 0, Ahanmisi 0, De Leon 0, Capobres 0.
Meralco (78).- Newsome 18, Pinto 12, Hugnatan 12, Belo 7, Quinto 7, Maliksi 7, Almazan 6, Caram 4, Hodge 3, Jose 2, Jackson 0, Black 0, Pasaol 0, Baclao 0, Jamito 0.
Quarterscores: 13-13, 38-36, 64-58, 92-78.