Jio Jalalon took charge in overtime as Magnolia outlasted NLEX, 112-106, in a thrilling conclusion to their epic best-of-three quarterfinals series in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, July 31.
Jalalon unloaded seven of his 16 points in the extra period as the Hotshots proved to be the steadier team in endgame to advance to the semifinals and forge a rematch of last season’s Philippine Cup finals with the TNT Tropang Giga.
Jalalon, who also pulled off a huge defensive stop late in the regulation which led to Paul Lee’s overtime-sending trey, scored the first four points in the extra period before drilling a buzzer-beating triple that gave Magnolia a 106-100 lead with 1:43 left in the game.
“I would like to say sorry to Jio, ako, it’s my fault talagang nakalimutan ko siya ng fourth quarter. Nabulong lang sa akin ng Panginoon and I just told Jio to stay positive,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero who called up Jalalon’s number only in the final minute of the regulation.
“(I told him) I will go to him on every possession, kita niyo naman from start ng pagpasok niya hanggang overtime I would like to go to Jio kasi he’s fresh and I know he wants to win. He looked at me, to my eyes and sabi sa akin ‘ I told you, coach’ dun palang alam ko na gusto niyang dalhin yung game namin,” he added.
Jalalon also had seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. Ian Sangalang topscored for the Hotshots with 24 points and 11 rebounds while Lee, who drilled the right corner triple to send the game to overtime, finished with 24 points.
Calvin Oftana carried the fight for the Road Warriors with 32 points – the most for a local player in a deciding game since 2015. Trollano backstopped him with 22 points, including a six straight points in a 15-second span to keep NLEX within striking distance, 108-106, with 1:03 left in the game.