Magnolia defuses NLEX for 2-1 semis lead

MANILA -- Jio Jalalon scored 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting to lead the Magnolia Hotshots to a 106-99 win over the NLEX Road Warriors in Game 3 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal match-up at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday night.

However, it was Magnolia's defensive effort down the stretch that mattered as the team held off NLEX in the fourth period after an even pace in the first three quarters.

The Road Warriors actually took a 27-24 lead after one quarter as both teams went firing from the start.

The Hotshots somehow contained the Road Warriors in the second quarter with its hot three-point shooting as the latter began to fizzle from the deep.

NLEX put up a fight again in the third quarter, even taking the lead, 78-77, late in the period before a PJ Simon shot in the last play of the quarter put Magnolia up, 79-78.

The Hotshots finally shut down the Road Warriors in the final canto, limiting them to only 21 points as Ian Sangalang took over for Magnolia offensively.

Sangalang also shot well, going 10-for-15 from the field, including 5-of-7 in the fourth -- for 24 points with seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Jalalon's 25 points was complemented by five rebounds, three assists, and two steals as Magnolia now holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Kiefer Ravena scored 20 markers for NLEX in a game where he, a usually steady free throw shooter, only made 7-of-12 from the charity stripe. (PNA)