Magnolia outduels Ginebra in another Manila Clasico clash

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Magnolia Hotshots’ firepower was in full display on Sunday evening and bested rival Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel in their Manila Clasico clash, 89-79, in the 46^th season of the PBA.

Poised and laser-focused to take down the mighty Ginebra squad, Paul Lee and the surging Hotshots went to work early on and took the commanding lead immediately.

Lee was feeling it from the field in the first quarter and single-handedly answered every Ginebra basket as he sank his favorite step-back treys at will in the first half.

Magnolia led by four at the half, 46-42, and sparked another massive run to balloon the lead to as much as 16 points in the third frame, 65-49.

Known for their never say die spirit or NSD, coach Tim Cone and his boys came back once again and were able to cut the deficit to just two, 79-77, in the fourth quarter.

When Ginebra thought they had the total control and grip of the momentum, Lee once again took matters into his own hands and went clutch in the final stretch of the game that ignited a 10-4 run in the last two minutes of the ball game.

Lee finished the game with 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists while Ian Sangalang chipped in 17 points.

The victory moved the Hotshots to the no. 1 spot in the standings together with Rain or Shine with a 3-0 record while Ginebra dropped to 1-2.