MAGNOLIA just had enough LEFT in its gas tank late to hold off a determined Phoenix side, 83-80, and keep a share of the leadership in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

As has been their mantra all conference long, the Hotshots turned to their defense in the final possession, denying the Fuelmasters a shot at tying the game with a three-pointer, forcing Tyler Tio to airball an ill-advised two-point shot as time expired.

The Hotshots improved to 4-1, tying NLEX, TNT and Rain or Shine atop the standings.

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“Ang isa sa pinakamagandang nangyari dun is we won because of a stop. We won by playing defense. Yun ang lagi kong sinasabi sa mga players ko to play until we get a stop,” Magnolia coach LA Tenorio said.

With Jerom Lastimosa leading the attack, the Hotshots quickly took control from the onset and maintained a comfortable lead up until the final half of the fourth quarter when Ricci Rivero and RR Garcia started finding their shots for the Fuel Masters.

Rivero scored five in an 8-0 run for the Fuel Masters which trimmed the 77-65 Magnolia lead to just four, 77-73 with 3:58 remaining in the game.

Rome dela Rosa scored the next four points for the Hotshots as Magnolia regained its footing, but Garcia responded with five straight points – including a four-pointer with 38 seconds left which trimmed the Hotshots lead to just one, 81-80.

Lastimosa nailed two pressure-packed free throws for Magnolia to give the Hotshots a three-point lead once more, before the Hotshots relied on their defense in the final possession to seal the win.

“First things first, una ko sinabi sa team namin during the pregame was if I’m gonna describe this Phoenix team, they are relentless, they will not stop fighting, they will not stop playing until the buzzer,” Tenorio added.

“Based on my experience playing against them, it’s different. They’re very relentless. It showed in the last quarter, it showed at the end of the game. Yan ang lesson samin this game.”

Lastimosa finished with 14 points and seven rebounds while Ian Sangalang and Zavier Lucero added 11 and 10 respectively.

Paul Lee had another solid night off the bench, draining all three of his treys to finish with nine points and five assists in just 14 minutes of action.

Jason Perkins led the way for the Fuel Masters with 19 points and five rebounds while Sean Manganti added 10 for the now 1-4 Fuel Masters.

The scores

Magnolia 83 - Lastimosa 14, Sangalang 11, Lucero 10, Lee 9, Dela Rosa 8, De Liano 8, Alfaro 6, Koon 5, Laput 4, Escoto 4, Barroca 2, Verano 2, Gomez 0

Phoenix 80 - Perkins 19, Manganti 10, Garcia 9, Tio 8, Rivero 6, Escandor 6, Ballungay 4, Daves 4, Santos 3, Tuffin 3, Kwetkuteye 3, Nelle 3, Cepral 2, Jazul 0, Ando 0

Quarters: 22-14, 42-29, 66-54, 83-80

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