Paul Lee on target as Magnolia stays perfect after drubbing Meralco
Paul Lee proved to be lethal when on target from deep as he fired seven triples to lead Magnolia's 121-101 drubbing of Meralco in the PBA on Tour at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Sunday, July 2.
Three of Lee’s triple came during a blistering 17-1 run to end the opening frame, allowing the Hotshots to take full control of the contest until the final buzzer to stay perfect through seven games. Magnolia was actually trailing by seven, 10-17, with still almost five minutes left in the quarter when Mark Barroca triggered the onslaught with back-to-back baskets before Lee took the mantle and buried three straight triples for the Hotshots to suddenly take the lead, 24-17. It was all Hotshots from there as Lee’s hot shooting eventually rubbed off on his teammates and padded the lead to as many as 23 points. Lee, who exploded for 22 points in the first half, went on to finish with 28 points, playing only in the first three quarters for just 19 minutes on the floor. Jio Jalalon finished with 18 points and five assists while James Laput added a double-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Diego Dario, who put up his best performance in Meralco uniform with 22 points, tried to pump some life to the Bolts' cause but the Hotshots simply had answers to their every run. Meralco did threaten though in the third frame after cutting the lead down to just four, 69-73, but Magnolia unloaded a back-breaking 12-0 run, once again capped by a Lee triple to restore order and rebuilt another 16-point lead. Bong Quinto contributed 14 points while Cliff Hodge and Franky Johnson added 13 apiece in a losing effort for Meralco which dropped to a 4-3 record in the standings.
*Red-hot Paul Lee leads the way as Magnolia blasts Meralco. (PBA Images)
*Three of Lee’s triple came during a blistering 17-1 run to end the opening frame, allowing the Hotshots to take full control of the contest until the final buzzer to stay perfect through seven games. Magnolia was actually trailing by seven, 10-17, with still almost five minutes left in the quarter when Mark Barroca triggered the onslaught with back-to-back baskets before Lee took the mantle and buried three straight triples for the Hotshots to suddenly take the lead, 24-17. It was all Hotshots from there as Lee’s hot shooting eventually rubbed off on his teammates and padded the lead to as many as 23 points. Lee, who exploded for 22 points in the first half, went on to finish with 28 points, playing only in the first three quarters for just 19 minutes on the floor. Jio Jalalon finished with 18 points and five assists while James Laput added a double-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Diego Dario, who put up his best performance in Meralco uniform with 22 points, tried to pump some life to the Bolts' cause but the Hotshots simply had answers to their every run. Meralco did threaten though in the third frame after cutting the lead down to just four, 69-73, but Magnolia unloaded a back-breaking 12-0 run, once again capped by a Lee triple to restore order and rebuilt another 16-point lead. Bong Quinto contributed 14 points while Cliff Hodge and Franky Johnson added 13 apiece in a losing effort for Meralco which dropped to a 4-3 record in the standings.