PASSI CITY — The enthusiastic Ilonggo fans were only expecting an exciting game but they were treated to an All-Star thriller.

Paul Lee and the rest of Team Japeth came through in crunch time to beat Team Scottie with a nail-biting 140-136 win in the 2023 PBA All-Star game at the City of Passi Arena on Sunday, March 12, here.

***Paul Lee sizzles from the four-point range in Passi City. (PBA Images)***

Lee displayed his almost unlimited range, firing away from the four-point territory in the first half before Jamie Malonzo and RR Pogoy delivered timely hits in the endgame to come away with the victory, much to the delight of the huge crowd in the venue.

The Magnolia star, who was also the current league three-point king, torched the net with 32 points on a blistering 7-of-13 shooting from the four-point line.

He was backstopped by Malonzo and Pogoy who combined for 22 of Team Japeth's 40 fourth quarter points.

Malonzo and Pogoy finished with 20 points apiece while Calvin Oftana and Chris Newsome added 16 each as Team Japeth completed a sweep of the All-star festivities after also winning the traditional dance-off before the game.

In all, Team Japeth bagged P150,000 for winning the game and another P150,000 for the dance-off.

Kevin Alas, who also bared his wizardry, finished with 35 points as Team Scottie, after trailing for as many as 15 points in the third quarter, managed to come back and even take a precarious 127-126 lead inside the final three minutes.

That's when Pogoy and Malonzo joined hands on a pivotal 7-0 counterattack to reestablish a six-point cushion, 133-127.

Team Scottie still had the chance to force a tie in the end game but Perez and Thompson missed their last ditch heave from the four-point territory at the buzzer.

The Scores:

Team Japeth 140 – Lee 32, Malonzo 20, Pogoy 20, Oftana 16, Newsome 16, Santos 8, Jalalon 8, Mamuyac 7, Pinto 6, Almazan 4, Gray 3, Cabagnot 0.

Team Scottie 136 – Alas 35, Perez 26, Standhardinger 22, Abueva 15, Bolick 14, Tolentino 7, Barroca 7, Pringle 4, Castro 4, Yap 2, Thompson 0, Lassiter 0.

Quarters: 37-28, 74-65, 100-104, 140-136.