Magnolia fends off Meralco in Game 1 of heated semis clash

After a flat start, top seed Magnolia turned things around in the second half to escape Meralco, 94-80, in Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinal series in the PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday.

Import Mike Harris led the offensive punch for the Hotshots, dropping a double-double of 26 points and 16 rebounds to go along with four assists and a steal as the PBA returned to Mall of Asia Arena.

Jio Jalalon, meanwhile, led the locals with 15 markers, six boards, and six dimes while Paul Lee and Calvin Abueva added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

After trailing by as many 17 points early in the second quarter, the Hotshots outscored the Bolts, 29-13, to hold a 64-56 lead at the end of the third.

During that third quarter outburst, Magnolia opened the period with a 17-5 run, where Lee drilled seven of his total output.

A pair of charities from Abueva, who was taken out of the court after a collision with Tony Bishop early in the third quarter, put Magnolia up by 10, 82-72, with 4:16 left in the game.

A 12-8 rampage, highlighted by back-to-back triples from Mark Barroca and Rome Dela Rosa, capped the victory for the Hotshots as they drew first blood in the series.

Magnolia looks to go 2-0 on Friday, March 25, when they tangle in Game 2 at 6 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Scores:

Magnolia - Harris 26, Jalalon 15, Lee 13, Abueva 12, Barroca 9, Dionisio 7, Dela Rosa 6, Wong 5, Sangalang 1, Reavis 0.

Meralco - Banchero 16, Quinto 13, Bishop 10, Newsome 8, Maliksi 7, Black 7, Baclao 6, Hodge 5, Almazan 4, Caram 2,  Hugnatan 2, Jose 0,

Quarters: 12-22, 35-43, 64-56, 94-80.

—MGP, GMA News