Magnolia shrugs off late SMB rally to keep clean record, clinches playoff berth

Magnolia not only kept its record pristine but also became the first team to clinch a spot to the playoffs after holding off the sliding San Miguel Beer, 94-90, in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Sunday, Dec. 10.

The Hotshots got an unlikely hero from Aris Dionisio who coolly sank four pressure-packed free throws inside the final 10 seconds to stave off a last ditch rally from the Beermen who came back from 10 points down in the last two minutes.

Trailing, 80-90, SMB import Ivan Aska, Chris Ross and Jericho Cruz staged an 8-0 spurt that threatened to tarnish the unbeaten record of Magnolia with 10 seconds left. Marcio Lassiter, however, was called for a foul against Dionisio who took care of the first pair of free throws with 10 ticks left on the clock.

Aska scored on a quick layup to keep the Beermen within one possession but the Hotshots managed to burn some precious time off the clock before Dionisio sealed the deal with another pair of free throws.

Import Tyler Bey showed the way for Magnolia with an impressive 31 points and 21 rebounds while James Laput finished with 14 points and seven boards as the Hotshots remained undefeated through seven games.

Jio Jalalon chalked up a double-double of 11 points and 11 assists while Mark Barroca, who led the fourth quarter surge that allowed the Hotshot to take a 10-point cushion, joined Dionisio as the other Magnolia players in double-figure with 10 apiece.

Aska tried to carry the fight for the Beermen with 29 points and six rebounds but was still not enough to prevent the shorthanded SMB from falling to a 3-3 record in the standings.

The Beermen remained without key players June Mar Fajardo, Terrence Romeo, Jeron Teng, Vic Manuel and Simon Enciso in their second straight loss that also came on the heels of a stunning defeat at the hands of NorthPort just last Friday.