PBA: Magnolia leans on collective clutch efforts to frustrate Terrafirma

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Terrafirma Dyip was so close to bagging its first-ever victory in the PBA Governor’s Cup but the resilient Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados banked on their timely clutch baskets to complete the come-from-behind win, 99-98, on September 12, 2024, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Down by four points with only 2:26 remaining in the game, Magnolia was already put in a difficult situation after failing to dominate the worst team in the league who are still winless in the import-laced conference.

However, with too much experience and firepower equipped on the side of Magnolia, the Chicken Timplados did the unthinkable and capped off the ‘ugly win’ with an 8-3 scoring run and bounced back from their loss against the Meralco Bolts.

Baskets from Kevin Ferrer and Stanley Pringle steered Terrafirma to their narrow advantage, putting the pressure on the win-seeking Magnolia squad who are still struggling to gain their footing in this year’s Governor’s Cup.

Just when the Dyip thought they already got all the momentum, the Chicken Timplados put up a fight, kicking things off with a Zavier Lucero basket underneath the rim to trim their deficit to just a deuce.

After a completed defensive stop on the other end, Magnolia retook the lead courtesy of a clutch four-pointer by marksman Paul Lee who was responsible for another change lead in favor of their team, 97-95.

Not backing down after a fiery rally from Magnolia, Terrafirma showed some signs of life after Paolo Hernandez drilled a huge three-pointer that gave them a one-point cushion, 97-98.

With the game on the line for Magnolia, new reinforcement Shabazz Muhammad delivered when he was needed the most and buried the game-winning floater to finally neutralize Terrafirma in the game.

Muhammad wrapped up his heroics with 20 points, backstopped by Lucero’s 17-point performance alongside five rebounds.

On the other hand, Terrafirma’s import Antonio Hester had another monster game of 39 markers and 16 rebounds but his efforts were put to waste after Magnolia savored the moment when it mattered the most.