MANILA – Magnolia Hotshots rode on the heroics of Paul Lee to stave off NLEX Road Warriors, 103-100, in their Philippine Basketball Association showdown at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center on Wednesday night.
Lee scored on a game-deciding four-point play with 32 seconds left as the Hotshots completed a comeback from 22 points down while holding off one last charge from the Road Warriors led by Kiefer Ravena.
Ravena could not finish the job for NLEX as he missed two crucial baskets down the stretch that would have completed its own fightback from a seven-point deficit with five minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Lee finished with 18 points, two rebounds, one assist, and two steals for Magnolia, which moved up to 1-1.
Chris Banchero and Jio Jalalon top-scored for the team with 19 points each off the bench.
Ravena, following a lethargic season opener against Ginebra on Sunday night, was relegated to the bench but exploded for 27 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal to lead NLEX, which slipped to 0-2. (PNA)
