Harris, Hotshots rout Bolts, force deciding Game 5 - News - PBA.ph

NOT so fast on that Barangay Ginebra-Meralco Governors' Cup finals rematch.

Refusing to be the Bolts' jumping board to a fourth title showdown with Ginebra, the Hotshots shut down Norman Black's troops, 94-73, to force a deciding Game 5 in their semis duel Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mike Harris was a pillar of strength for the Hotshots, as did top locals Paul Lee and Calvin Abueva, who stepped up to the plate in the win-or-go home Game 4.

Harris punched in 34 points and 18 rebounds, doing the most damage in the middle quarters where Magnolia laid the foundation for the series-leveling 21-point triumph.

Lee, playing through ankle injury, fired 17 as he made up for his five-point output in their 95-101 loss in Game 3 as Abueva turned in 11-8-3, in addition to his trademark hustle plays in the highly-physical contest.

Sponsored content: "No more tomorrow that's the mentality going in," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose squad forced the Bolts to a series do-or-die on Friday for the right to face the waiting Gin Kings.

Defending champion Ginebra was first to enter the best-of-seven finale after beating NLEX, 3-1, on a 112-93 closeout Wednesday afternoon.

"We just try to live one game at a time, pinag-usapan we need to grind possession by possession on both ends of the floor. Siguro medyo nawawala sa amin in the last two (losing) games is how we enjoy the game. So yun lang ginawa namin tonight - grind and enjoy the game," said Victolero.

"It's all about effort, staying together for 48 minutes," he added.

It wasn't actually the best of starts for Magnolia in Game 4 as Meralco jumped to an 11-0 upperhand.

Sponsored content: But Harris and Lee willed the Hotshots back, leading an 18-6 counter-assault to nose ahead by two. This provided them the momentum to take command in the second, 42-30, behind a 22-11 exchange.

The Hotshots did not relinquish control and countered every uprising that the Bolts attempted to mount in a bid to salvage the series clincher.

After giving up 81 and 101 points in their Game 2 and 3 losses, Victolero's troops choked Magnolia to their lowest output of the conference at 73. The Bolts' previous low was 80 in Magnolia's 14-point win in Game 1.

Tony Bishop paced Meralco with 22 but could only score two in the payoff period, where the Hotshots widened the gap to a high of 90-68. (OL)

The scores:

Magnolia 94 - Harris 34, Lee 17, Abueva 11, Jalalon 10, Corpuz 9, Barroca 5, Sangalang 4, Reavis 2, Brill 2, Wong 0, Dela Rosa 0.

Meralco 73 - Bishop 22, Newsome 11, Almazan 8, Maliksi 7, Banchero 7, Quinto 6, Caram 4, Hodge 3, Black 3, Baclao 2, Canete 0, Belo 0, Pasaol 0.

Quarters: 20-19, 42-30, 62-52, 94-73.

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Harris, Hotshots rout Bolts, force deciding Game 5 - News - PBA.ph
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