Test of character: Magnolia enters Holy Week break at No. 1 after OT win vs San Miguel

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Magnolia stays unbeaten through three games in the PBA Philippine Cup as young cogs Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa star against mighty San Miguel

MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia will go into the Holy Week break atop the PBA Philippine Cup standings after a rousing win over a team heavily favored to lift the trophy at the end of the conference.

The Hotshots stayed unbeaten through three games, eking out a come-from-behind 98-95 overtime victory over San Miguel led by young cogs Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, April 16.

Lucero posted 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Lastimosa netted 21 points and 5 assists as Magnolia erased a 14-point deficit and handed the Beermen their first loss of the tournament.

“We need this kind of game, an overtime game, a grinding game, to test our character and to test where we are right now at this stage of the league,” said Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero.

There may be a changing of the guard at Magnolia as the likes of Lucero and Lastimosa, who are both 26 years old, continue to play well, but the Hotshots still bank on their grizzled veterans when the going gets tough.

Although limited to just 7 points on 2-of-10 shooting, 38-year-old Mark Barroca came through when it mattered most as he scored a pair of clutch buckets down the stretch that allowed Magnolia to keep its record unblemished.

The Hotshots trailed 95-94 with a minute left in the extra period before Barroca, who also finished with 7 assists, 4 steals, and 3 rebounds, drained back-to-back jump shots that settled the final score.

Barroca also grabbed the defensive rebound following an airballed three-pointer by San Miguel forward Don Trollano that sealed the win.

“The combination of the veteran and the youth is a big factor to us. These guys, Zavier, Jerom, Aris (Dionisio), and Peter (Alfaro), will be a big factor for us for this conference to support our veterans,” said Victolero.

Calvin Abueva tallied a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds with 4 assists and 2 steals for Magnolia, while Paul Lee added 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Alfaro chimed in 11 points in 15 minutes.

June Mar Fajardo dominated inside with 17 points and 17 rebounds, including the basket that gave the Beermen their biggest lead at 58-44.

But San Miguel saw its lead slowly vanish then failed to get things done in regulation, with Lastimosa sinking a free throw that tied it at 87-87 to send the game to overtime.

Juami Tiongson also had 17 points in the loss, CJ Perez got 14 points 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Trollano fired 16 points.

Rodney Brondial and Chris Ross chimed in 10 points apiece for the Beermen, who fell to 1-1.

The Scores

Magnolia 98 – Lucero 24, Lastimosa 21, Alfaro 11, Abueva 11, Lee 10, Sangalang 8, Barroca 7, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 2, Dionisio 0, Laput 0, Ahanmisi 0, Balanza 0, Escoto 0.

San Miguel 95 – Fajardo 17, Tiongson 17, Trollano 16, Perez 14, Ross 10, Brondial 10, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3, Tautuaa 3, Cruz 2, Teng 0.

Quarters: 18-18, 36-45, 61-67, 87-87, 98-95 (OT).

– Rappler.com