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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Magnolia dispatches Phoenix, sets up Finals duel vs SMB

Magnolia dispatches Phoenix, sets up Finals duel vs SMB

Published Jan 31, 2024 03:53 pm

At A Glance

  • The Hotshots clipped the wings of the hard-fighting Phoenix Fuel Masters with an 89-79 win to close out their semifinals series and arrange a 2023-'24 PBA Commissioner's Cup dance with San Miguel Beer on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Magnolia made sure that there will be no comeback this time around.

The Hotshots clipped the wings of the hard-fighting Phoenix Fuel Masters with an 89-79 win to close out their semifinals series and arrange a 2023-’24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup dance with San Miguel Beer on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

PBA Images1 (50).JPG
Mark Barroca stars for the Magnolia Hotshots. (PBA Images)

Mark Barroca led the hot-starting Magnolia before Tyler Bey slammed the door on another Phoenix comeback in the second half to book a trip to the finals for the first time since the 2020 Philippine Cup.

The veteran guard, who started for the first time this conference, dropped 16 of his 21 points in the first half while Bey dropped 20 points and 20 rebounds including some key baskets during the third frame that sparked a huge run and allowed them to build enough cushion to weather another desperate run from Phoenix.

Magnolia actually led by as many as 17 points in the first half but, as expected, was nearly erased by a blistering Phoenix run after cutting the lead down to just two, 53-51.

The Hotshots though refused to commit the same mistakes of their Game 3 loss and fended off the Fuel Masters with a back-breaking 15-0 blast spearheaded by Bey and Ian Sangalang.

Magnolia even reset the biggest lead at 21, 74-53, early in the payoff period but the stubborn Phoenix still made a huge run and threatened in the waning minutes. 

Behind the efforts of Sean Manganti, the Fuel Masters still brought the Hotshots lead down to single digits, 87-78, before Sangalang and Bey played the fireman’s role to seal the deal for Magnolia.

Jonathan Williams ended the conference with 17 points and 17 rebounds while RR Garcia and RJ Jazul had 15 and 11 respectively – all of which however went down the drain as Phoenix failed to extend the series to a deciding Game 5.

Related Tags

San Miguel Beermen Magnolia Hotshots PBA Commissioner’s Cup Phoenix Fuel Masters
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