Calvin Abueva hits winning basket as Magnolia survives NorthPort

With the clock winding down, Calvin Abueva drained a winning basket to lift the Magnolia Hotshots past NorthPort, 90-89, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Friday at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Trailing by a point with two seconds to go in the game, Rome dela Rosa launched a timely assist to Calvin Abueva, who beat the buzzer with a layup just before the time expired.

Ian Sangalang paced his squad with a double-double performance of 26 markers and 10 boards, while Abueva finished with 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

The Hotshots improved to 7-3 to formally book a quarterfinal ticket along with TNT.

The Batang Pier, meanwhile, now have back-to-back losses but still got solid output from Paolo Taha and Jamie Malonzo who each had 14 points. NorthPort now holds a 4-5 win-loss card.

"Personally, I took this game as a stepping stone for us to enter the playoffs and have a chance to be at the number one spot. That was my mindset, especially in the first half," said Sangalang in the post-game interview.

Prior to that Abueva shot, Magnolia was in a tough position after Kevin Ferrer buried a basket that settled the match in favor of NorthPort, 89-88, with three seconds left to play.

Magnolia was quick to press the timeout button to draw a play that would give them the chance to walk away with the win.

"That's a design play. And then, if that didn't work out, the next option would have been Paul [Lee]," explained Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero. "Good thing it was executed. Thanks also to Rome for having the courage to pass it to Calvin."

Magnolia first saw itself trailing by as many as 17 points, 26-9, in the first quarter but the Hotshots rode a huge second quarter showing to cut the gap to only three at halftime, 47-44.

During that strong frame, Magnolia unloaded 32 points to outscore NorthPort, who only converted 21 markers.

Mark Barroca opened the third canto with a triple to knot the game at 47-apiece before they finally took the lead to end the first three periods, 68-67.

Sangalang also hit crucial baskets in the payoff period after scoring eight of his overall output in the fourth quarter alone.

"We talked about our focus and at the same time, what was at stake in this game. This is our chance to go to the quarters. We really prepared for this," added Victolero.

The scores:

Magnolia (90) - Sangalang 26, Abueva 15, Lee 13, Barroca 10, Dela Rosa 10, Ahanmisi 8, Dionisio 6, Jalalon 2, Corpuz 0, Reavis 0.

NorthPort (89) - Slaughter 21, Anthony 16, Malonzo 14, Taha 14, Bolick 10, Onwubere 4, Lanete 4, Rike 2, Balanza 2, Ferrer 2, Elorde 0, Grey 0.

Quarterscores: 12-26, 44-47, 68-67, 90-89.

—JMB, GMA News