PBA: Magnolia fends off Blackwater to keep winning run going

MANILA — Magnolia kept its winning run, stretching now to four.

This, as the Hotshots fended off Blackwater, 107-101, in the resumption of their PBA Governors’ Cup campaign on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Despite Magnolia building a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, the Bossing proved resilient by tearing that down into a three-point gap, 100-97, as Nick Demusis, Kent Barkley, and Sedrick Barefield nailed their shots under the five-minute mark.

KJ Buffen stepped up for Magnolia with a personal five-point run on two free throw makes and a triple, giving his team a 105-97 lead late.

On his trip to the foul line, Blackwater’s Barefield could have made the match a three-point encounter, but he could not pounce on that opportunity, 39.1 ticks, although they were still at striking distance at 105-101.

The Blackwater side found the defensive stop on Jerom Lastimosa after forcing him to miss with 8.5 seconds left — which could have been a opportunity on their end to force an extension — but Barkley could not keep possession, as Chris Koon’s steal proved crucial as Magnolia kept the ball and forced a duty foul on RK Ilagan.

Lastimosa nailed the final shots from the 15-foot stripe as Magnolia went away with the win — their fifth in Group B.

Buffen and Lastimosa both tallied 24 points to anchor the Hotshots offense, as Zav Lucero chipped in 17 markers.

On the other hand, Barefield registered 24 points as well but Blackwater absorbed its fourth loss in seven matches.

The Scores:

MAGNOLIA 107 – Buffen 24, Lastimosa 24 Lucero 17, Koon 9, Andrada 9, Sangalang 7, Gomez de Liano 7, Barroca 6, Dela Rosa 4, Alfaro 0, Laput 0

BLACKWATER 101 – Barefield 24, Barkley 20, DiGregorio 15, Ilagan 13, Panopio 9, Demusis 8, Una 6, Tratter 2, Cruz-Dumont 2, Murrell 2, Escoto 0, Mendoza 0, David 0, Austria 0

QUARTERS: 23-25, 53-50, 84-75, 107-101