The Magnolia Hotshots weathered the relentless charge of the Phoenix Fuel Masters to notch their fourth win in five games in the 50th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.
Rookie guard Jerom Lastimosa calmly sank two clutch free throws in the final 15 seconds to seal an 83-80 victory for the Hotshots on Friday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
“If I’m gonna describe Phoenix, I’d say they’re relentless. They don’t stop playing until the final buzzer — and they showed that in the last quarter and even in the final minute,” said Magnolia coach LA Tenorio.
Lastimosa finished with 14 points, showing poise beyond his years as Magnolia fended off a furious Phoenix comeback to join Rain or Shine and two other squads in a four-way tie for the top spot at 4-1.
The Fuel Masters trailed by as many as 14 points, but refused to fold. RR Garcia sparked the rally with a string of clutch baskets, including a booming three-pointer that trimmed the deficit to 80-81 with just 38.9 seconds left.
Magnolia, however, kept its composure in the endgame, with Lastimosa’s steady hands at the line ensuring the win.
