ROME de la Rosa nailed the game-winning triple from the left wing as Magnolia brought down erstwhile unbeaten NorthPort, 80-77, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

De la Rosa’s game-winner came after Roi Sumang and Robert Bolick hit back–to-back three-pointers to put the Batang Pier ahead, 77-75 with less than one minute left.

A two-point shot by Calvin Abueva tied the score at 77-all with 36 seconds left and set the stage for a dramatic finish.

Arwind Santos of NorthPort had a chance to send the game into overtime, but his desperation three-point attempt missed its target.

“Sabi ko nga, wala akong masasabi sa effort ng mga players ko,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

“But you know, it’s all about the breaks of the game. Maybe it’s about execution.We did a good job in executing on both ends.”

Abueva finished with a game-high 23 points and 12 rebounds for Magnolia, which improved to 1-2.

Santos led NorthPort with his own double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, followed by Jamie Malonzo with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Later, Barangay Ginebra rolled to its second straight win with a 90-85 victody over Rain or Shine.

Japeth Aguilar fired 23 points, Scottie Thompson added 16 points and Christian Standhardinger had 13 points for the Gin Kings, who led by as many as 18 points over the Elasto Painters

Meanwhile, the PBA returns to the Ynares Center in Antipolo with a regular doubleheader pitting NLEX against defending champion TNT at 5:15 p.m. and Meralco against Converge at 7:15 p.m.

The Road Warriors are hopjng for a bounce-back victory when they meet the Tropang Giga in what is expected to be another close encounter.

NLEX coach Yeng Guiao will have to do it with ace gunner Kevin Alas wearing a protective mask after incurring a hairline fracture on his nose during practice last Monday and long-time assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa moving over to TNT as its new team manager.

“I don’t know how he will adjust playing with a mask,” said Guiao when asked about Alas.

Guiao also said Lastimosa;s transfer to TNT could also pose big problem for NLEX.

“I think he’s going to be a big help in scouting our team. Alam niya ginagawa namin, adjustments,””said Guiao in an interview posted at the PBA website..

The scores:

Magnolia (80) – Abueva 23, Lee 12, Dionisio 12, Sangalang 8, Barroca 8, Jalalon 8, Dela Rosa 3, Wong 3 ,Corpuz 2, Reavis 1, Zaldivar 0.
NorthPort (77) – Santos 18, Malonzo 15, Sumang 15, Bolick 13, Calma 7, Balanza 4, Ferrer 3, Vigil 2, Ayaay 0, Dela Cruz 0, Javier 0.
Quarterscores: 21-17, 42-33, 57-55, 80-77.

Second game

Ginebra (90) – J.Aguilar 23, Thompson 16, Standhardinger 13, Tolentino 11, Pringle 9, Tenorio 9, Caperal 4, Mariano 4, David 1, Chan 0, Pinto 0, Onwubere 0.
Rain or Shine (85) – Nieto 15, Belga 14, Caracut 12, Mamuyac 10, Santillan 9, Torres 7, Ponferrada 7, Torres 4, Demusis 4, Asistio 3, Borboran 2, Ildefonso 2, Clarito 0.
Quarterscores: 31-16, 45-44, 74-58, 90-85.