Paul Lee scores 30 points as Magnolia shoots down Alaska

MINUS three key players, the Magnolia Hotshots remained hopeful they could beat the Alaska Milk Aces if they could match their energy and intensity.

Doing just that, the Hotshots repulsed the Aces, 108-95, for a triumphant debut in the 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup at The Arena in San Juan Wednesday.

Barely back from an injury, Paul Lee best typified Magnolia's fighting spirit, doing a heckuva job to help the Hotshots get off to a victorious start in the season minus the injury-hit Marc Pingris, Rafi Reavis and Jio Jalalon.





Lee sizzled with 6-of-8 three-pointers and finished with 30 big points that went with seven rebounds, six assists and one steal against an error in just 24 minutes of action.

"Three days pa lang nag-eensayo yan. Iba talaga ang puso niya," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

Bam Gamalinda, Rome dela Rosa and Ian Sangalang also stepped up big time as the Hotshots showed good promise in the tourney where they barely missed the finale last season.

"Our guys know that we're badly undermanned and they needed to step up. I'm proud of what they showed against the Alaska team na very inspired at motivated dahil nakabalik na yung mga players nilang galing sa injury," said Victolero.

Gamalinda, a trade recruit along with Kyle Pascual towards the end of last season, acquainted with the Hotshots right away, coming through with 15 points on 6-of-11 field-goal shooting and 2-of-2 charities.

Sangalang towered under the boards and collected 13 points and nine rebounds, while Dela Rosa matched up well with Calvin Abueva in a rugged battle and came up with 10 markers, five boards, three steals and two assists.

PJ Simon, Mark Barroca, Pascual and rookie Robert Herndon also had helpful efforts as the Hotshots took control most of the way, leading by 16 at 87-71.

Lee rifled in a trey then set up Simon for his own triple to give Magnolia that 16-point spread late in the third.

Alaska actually got off to a strong start, posting its own double-digit spread at 20-10 but Magnolia turned the game around right in the next period, zooming ahead, 57-47, at the turn.

It was a highly physical contest marked by double fouls committed by Abueva and Dela Rosa, and Lee and Vic Manuel.

Manuel sustained a cut on the brow in the second half on a wayward elbow by Kyle Pascual.

The scores:

MAGNOLIA 108 - Lee 30, Gamalinda 15, Sangalang 13, Dela Rosa 10, Simon 9, Herndon 9, K. Pascual 9, Barroca 6, Melton 3, Ramos 2, Brondial 2.

ALASKA 95 - Abueva 20, Manuel 20, Teng 16, Casio 10, R. Pascual 7, Enciso 5, Exciminiano 5, Banchero 4, Thoss 3, J. Pascual 2, Cruz 2, Magat 1, Racal 0.

Quarters: 21-26, 57-47, 87-74, 108-95

SOURCE: https://www.pba.ph/news/paul-lee-scores-30-points-as-magnolia-shoots-down-alaska