Lee's 4-point sniping keeps Magnolia unbeaten

Paul Lee’s outside sniping was in full display as he powered unbeaten Magnolia to a 117-92 drubbing of defending champion Meralco in a chippy game for its sixth straight win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.      

The veteran guard nailed three of his four four-pointers in the fourth quarter, where he poured 18 of his game-high 27 points for the Hotshots.

“I think we just followed the system and credit goes to all my teammates. They were looking for me when I got one (four-pointer),” Lee said after shooting 6-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-5 from the four-point area.

Lee strung up three 4-ball midway in the fourth as Magnolia pulled away for good, 108-86, with 4:20 left.

“Credit to my teammates for finding me. That’s all I had to do, take the open shot. Luckily, it went in.”

Ian Sangalang had 16 points and nine rebounds, while Zav Lucero, Rome Dela Rosa and James Laput contributed 11 markers each for Magnolia in a match marred by a late commotion.

The Hotshots were already in full control, 112-89, with 2:16 left in the game when things got chippy between Lucero and Bolts forward Cliff Hodge.

Lucero was livid after Hodge dragged him down by the neck in a scramble for the loose ball at midcourt. They got into a verbal altercation before officials separated the two.

It, however, didn’t pacify the situation as Lucero continued to shout at Hodge, who was already at the Meralco bench, triggering a bench-clearing as players and team officials from both sides rushed in front of the game committee table.

Lucero and Meralco captain Raymond Almazan were whistled with technical fouls for verbal altercation. Hodge got a flagrant foul penalty 1 call.

The Bolts slid to a 3-5 card after absorbing a second straight defeat.

Chris Banchero finished with 20 points, Chris Newsome had 14 while Bong Quinto and Almazan added 13 each for Meralco. Hodge and Aaron Black posted 10 points each.

The scores:

Magnolia (117) --- Lee 27, Sangalang 16, Dela Rosa 11, Lucero 11, Laput 11, Barroca 9, Alfaro 9, Lastimosa 9, Abueva 8, Ahanmisi 4, Escoto 2, Dionisio 0..

Meralco (92) --- Banchero 20, Newsome 14, Quinto 13, Almazan 13, Hodge 10, Black 10, Cansino 8, Bates 4, Jose 0, Rios 0, Pasaol 0, Torres 0.

Quarters: 30-19, 55-45, 82-73, 117-92