Magnolia shocks NLEX after coming back from 22-down

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The Magnolia Hotshots stormed back from a 22-point deficit to eventually steal the win away from the NLEX Road Warriors, 103-100, in their debut game of the PBA bubble.

Coach Chito Victolero’s bread and butter, the full-court press, came in swarming the opposition that caused the meltdown for the Road Warriors in the last frame of the ball game.

Leading 70-48 entering the second half, NLEX saw their lead slowly fade away after the veteran Magnolia squad’s defense locked them up and took over the lead, 85-84, 4 minutes into the fourth quarter.

The combination of Chris Banchero, Mark Barroca, Jackson Corpuz, Jio Jalalon, and Rome dela Rosa inside the court for Magnolia ignited the much-needed run in the fourth that proved to be too much for NLEX, especially their full-court defense.

NLEX had the chance to win the game after a Kiefer Ravena clutch fadeaway but Magnolia’s Paul Lee answered with a four-point play after getting fouled by Anthony Semerad from downtown.

Barroca then iced the game with his clutch two free throws with 15 seconds remaining in the game.

NLEX had the chance to make something happen as Ravena had enough time to hoist a hail mary but his attempt from rainbow country did not count.

It was tough for the Yeng Guiao led squad after seeing two of their veterans foul out early in the fourth in JR Quinahan and Kevin Alas.

With the loss, the Road Warriors are now 0-2 in the bubble.