Magnolia Hotshots import Clint Chapman against TNT Tropang 5G guard Roger Pogoy in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. PBA Images.MANILA — The Magnolia Hotshots avoided a second-half collapse to overcome TNT Tropang 5G for a crucial 106-94 victory in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
LA Tenorio’s wards notched their sixth win in 11 games, moving up to sixth place and dropping TNT to seventh, with both teams having one game left in their schedules.
“I’ve been praying for us to beat an elite team,” said Tenorio, as they held off a 20-point swing following Tropang 5G’s surge in the third period. “We haven’t been beating elite teams, so I motivated them.”
“I hope this is the start, because we’re in the playoffs, so every game is very important for us,” he added.
Clint Chapman had a huge night with 42 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, and two assists with his family in attendance, while Mark Barroca orchestrated the offense with 12 assists on top of 15 points and four rebounds.
The Hotshots will look to close out their campaign with another win when they face the Meralco Bolts on Sunday, May 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
On the other hand, Bol Bol erupted for a game-high 53 points along with 13 rebounds and five blocks, but his effort went to waste as TNT absorbed its fifth loss in 11 games.
Calvin Oftana added 18 points, eight of which came in the third quarter when TNT outscored Magnolia, 32-22. However, the Hotshots’ balanced response in the fourth quarter proved decisive.
TNT will close the eliminations against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, also on Sunday at the same Pasay bayside arena.
The Scores:
Magnolia 106 – Chapman 42, Barroca 15, Lucero 13, Lastimosa 8, Gomez de Liano 8, Dela Rosa 7, Sangalang 6, Lee 4, Alfaro 3, Andrada 0, Verano 0
TNT 94 – Bol 53, Oftana 18, Khiobuntin 6, Galinato 6, Castro 5, Pogoy 4, Williams 2, Heading 0, Nieto 0, Nava 0,m Enciso 0, Ferrer 0, Nambatac 0
Quarterscores: 35-15, 59-40, 81-72, 106-94.