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Magnolia Stretches Win Streak to Three
In a gripping Holy Wednesday clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Magnolia Hotshots pulled off a dramatic 98-95 overtime victory against the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. Behind Mark Barroca’s clutch plays in the final seconds, Magnolia extended its winning streak to three games while handing San Miguel its first loss of the conference.
A Rough Night Turned Heroic for Barroca
Barroca had a difficult night for most of the game, misfiring on his first eight attempts from the field. But when it mattered most, he delivered. With under a minute remaining in overtime, Barroca drilled two crucial long jumpers—one at the 46.5-second mark and another with just 7.3 seconds left—to seal the win for the Hotshots.
He finished with only seven points, but also chipped in seven assists, four steals, and three rebounds, embodying Magnolia’s resilient spirit in a game that required grit and poise.
Hotshots Rally From Early Deficit
The game didn’t start in Magnolia’s favor. San Miguel controlled the pace early and built a lead as large as 14 points. But the Hotshots, known for their defensive tenacity and hustle, gradually chipped away at the deficit. Paul Lee’s crucial four-point play late in the fourth quarter ignited a run that pushed the game into overtime, after June Mar Fajardo missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer in regulation.
Lucero and Lastimosa Lead Scoring Charge
While Barroca took the spotlight late, the offensive burden was shouldered earlier by young guns Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa. Lucero led the team with 24 points, showing his growing confidence and versatility, while Lastimosa added 21, continuing to impress in his rookie campaign.
Veteran forward Calvin Abueva recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, bringing his trademark energy and hustle. Peter Alfaro III also added 11 points, and Paul Lee scored 10, including a pivotal three-pointer that helped swing momentum in Magnolia’s favor.
Beermen’s Efforts Fall Short
Despite the loss, San Miguel had a balanced offensive effort. June Mar Fajardo notched a double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds, continuing his consistent dominance in the paint. Rodney Brondial also logged a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.
Guards Juami Tiongson and Don Trollano added 17 and 16 points respectively, while CJ Perez and Chris Ross contributed 14 and 10. Yet for all their firepower, the Beermen couldn’t find answers down the stretch, particularly in the closing seconds of overtime.
Magnolia Shows Championship Mettle
The Hotshots’ performance was a testament to their depth and mental toughness. Despite trailing early and facing an experienced San Miguel squad, Magnolia remained composed and relied on both their young talents and seasoned veterans.
Barroca’s late-game heroics may have sealed the win, but it was a total team effort that brought them to that moment. Head coach Chito Victolero’s squad is proving early on that they are legitimate contenders in the all-Filipino tournament.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Magnolia now improves to 3-0 and continues building momentum as the season progresses. San Miguel, meanwhile, drops to 2-1 but remains among the top teams in the standings.
As both teams prepare for tougher battles ahead, this thrilling encounter may serve as a preview of what’s to come in the later stages of the conference—perhaps even a playoff showdown between two of the league’s most storied franchises.