Paul Lee catches fire vs Meralco as Magnolia nears playoff incentive

Paul Lee ignited from deep to guide Magnolia Chicken Timplados to a 108-96 victory over Meralco in the 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

With the veteran guard leading, Magnolia moved closer to a twice-to-beat incentive as it improved to 9-2 while Meralco saw its three-game win streak snapped to drop to 4-6.

Trailing by six at the half, Magnolia turned things around in the third where the Hotshots unleashed a scoring spree of 47 points while limiting the Bolts to 23 as they took a 93-74 cushion to end the frame. 

That 47-point outburst was the highest in a quarter in the PBA by any team since Phoenix Super LPG had 49 in the fourth period of a 124-117 loss to TNT in the 2016 Governors' Cup.

During that huge run, Lee went perfect from the rainbow country, knocking down all of his triple attempts while import Nicholas Rakocevic had 11 in that stretch as the Hotshots started to pull away.

Meralco also hit a snag when big man Raymond Almazan went down with a foot injury early in the payoff period after a bad landing following a basket made in the 10:27 mark. 

The Bolts instigated a mini 7-0 run capped by a triple from reinforcement KJ McDaniels to cut their deficit to just 11, 104-93, but a crucial layup by Lee dashed Meralco's hopes.

Lee finished with a team-high 27 points to go along with two rebounds and one assist while Rakocevic poured in a double-double of 16 markers, 20 boards, and three dimes. 

Calvin Abueva chipped in 17 points and five rebounds while Jio Jalalon provided a spark with 12 markers and three assists. 

Meralco, which was carrying momentum from its three-game winning streak prior to the game, was led by McDaniels who registered 32 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News