Magnolia holds off TNT, keeps unblemished record at 4-0

The Magnolia Hotshots had to hold off the TNT Tropang Giga in the endgame, 96-93, to keep their unblemished record intact on Friday in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup.

Magnolia wasted no time asserting its dominance, creating enough distance from the Tropang Giga at the break with a 13-point lead, 52-39.

That advantage, however, was not enough to keep TNT at bay in the third as the 2021 Philippine Cup champions ended the quarter with only a five-point deficit, 71-66.

During that huge third quarter spurt, TNT had to rally from 69-56 down with Gab Banal detonating for eight of his team's last 10 points in the frame. TNT also outscored Magnolia in that stretch, 27-19.

TNT continued pouring baskets in the payoff period, even tying the game at 77-all following a huge triple from veteran Jayson Castro. Hotshots then responded with a 12-3 run as their lead once again swelled to 89-80.

Back-to-back three-pointers from Kib Montalbo kept TNT from within striking distance, 90-91, but that was it for TNT as Magnolia held the fort en route to its fourth win in a row.

TNT, on the other hand, slid to 2-3.

Mike Harris registered a double-double effort of 41 points, 18 rebounds, and two assists while the backcourt duo of Mark Barroca and Paul Lee combined for 29 markers.

The loss will be tough for TNT, who is facing a grueling schedule in the restart, as the Chot Reyes-mentored club is set to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers starting February 24.

Reyes has yet to name the TNT players who will join the nationals.

The scores:

Magnolia 96 - Harris 41, Lee 15, Barroca 14, Sangalang 7, Abueva 6, Jalalon 6, Reavis 4, Ahanmisi 3, Corpuz 0, Wong 0, Dionisio 0.

TNT Tropang Giga 93 - Fuller 21, M. Williams 17, Banal 16, Castro 15, Montalbo 8, K. Williams 7, Erram 5, Reyes 3, Rosario 1, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

Quarterscores: 31-14, 52-39, 71-66, 96-93.

— VBL, GMA News