Hotshots spring back to life, thwart Beermen in Game 3

MANILA, Philippines -- The Magnolia brand of basketball has finally turned up in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

The Hotshots pulled away in the fourth quarter and notched their first win in the best-of-seven finals after dismantling the San Miguel Beermen, 88-80, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After a pair of charities by Don Trollano helped the Beermen inch closer, 65-62, with 9:44 remaining, the Hotshots unleashed a furious 11-0 run off three straight 3-pointers to take a 76-62 advantage with less than seven minutes remaining in the game.

A layup by San Miguel's Bennie Boatwright snapped the blitz, but Ian Sangalang was quick to answer with a scoop layup, 78-64.

The lead was cut to nine, 84-75, with a personal 5-0 run by Boatwright.

Paul Lee, however, stuck in the dagger with a floater with 1:55 remaining to push the lead back to 11, 86-75.

This is the first time in the series that the Beermen failed to score in the 100s.

San Miguel’s loss also snapped the team's 11-game winning streak.

Six Hotshots scored in double digits in the game led by Mark Barroca, who finished with 20 points in 33 minutes.

Lee added 12 points off the bench, while import Tyler Bey, Ian Sangalang and Aris Dionisio had 11 apiece.

Jio Jalalon chipped in 10 markers.

Boatwright paced the Beermen with 27 points and 13 rebounds, but he committed eight turnovers.

CJ Perez added 16 points.

The Hotshots led by as much as 13 points in the first half, 30-17, as their offense heated up early.

The Beermen then stormed back and headed to the final frame trailing by just five.

But Magnolia’s suffocating defense once again clicked, and the Hotshots led by as much as 16, 80-64, starting the fourth quarter with a 17-6 run.

Magnolia will try to even the series when they face the Beermen in Game 4 on Friday, February 9, at the same venue.