Magnolia secured back-to-back victories, defeating San Miguel Beer 96-85 in Game 4 to level the best-of-seven PBA Commissioner’s Cup title series at 2-2 on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Import Tyler Bey contributed for the Hotshots both ways, defending the Beermen’s reinforcement, Bennie Boatwright, while doing damage on the offensive end.
Magnolia has limited San Miguel to just 19 in the opening quarter before taking a 49-45 lead going into the third.
The Beermen managed to battle their way back into the game, tying the count at 79-all following Jericho Cruz’s layup midway through the payoff period. But Ian Sangalang and Bey scored crucial baskets to give Magnolia the lead back.
Paul Lee’s dagger trey in the last 1:51 was perhaps the backbreaker for the Beermen, hiking the Hotshots’ lead to 94-83.
Magnolia’s victory ruined CJ Perez’s Best Pyaler of the Conference win as the Hotshots tied the series.
Bey ended up with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists, even as Mark Barroca and Lee added 14 markers each.
Boatwright, meanwhile, was held to his lowest output this conference with only 16 points. June Mar Fajardo added 18, while Perez had 17.
“Everyone embraced our defensive mindset. Everyone knows we are the underdog. We sacrificed for this series, especially this guy (Tyler),” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero after their victory.
“Ian (Sangalang) played small in the middle quarters because we feel we have an advantage with Ian down the post. But everything really boils down to our defense, and again, we limited them below 90 points. That’s our goal.”
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