By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok are back in the driver’s seat of their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup Finals series after beating the defending champions San Miguel Beermen, 86-82, in Game Three on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Proving to be the steadier team between the protagonists all game long, the Hotshots continuously frustrated the Beermen even when the latter made a spirited run late in the game to book the victory and move a step closer to the title of the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association tournament.
Mark Barroca paced Magnolia with 22 points.
Ian Sangalang and Rafi Reavis each had a double-double. The former finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds while the latter had 16 markers and 15 boards.
Arwind Santos, meanwhile, led the Beermen with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
June Mar Fajardo struggled for 17 points with Terrence Romeo adding 15.
The Beermen came within three points, 82-79, with 17 seconds left after an Alex Cabagnot triple but Mr. Barroca gave Magnolia more breathing space, 86-79 , with four straight free throws after.
Marcio Lassiter hit a three-pointer to narrow Magnolia’s lead, 86-82, with four seconds remaining but the Beermen would not go any closer than that as the Hotshots closed things out.
Game Four of the Finals is on Wednesday also at the Big Dome.
