Paul Lee fires 28 as Hotshots rout Bolts to remain unbeaten

Paul Lee’s seven three-point shots helped lead Magnolia to a 121-101 win over Meralco in the PBA on Tour on Sunday, July 2, at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

Three of Lee’s triples came during a 17-1 run at the end of the first inning, which gave the Hotshots full control of the game until the final buzzer and kept them undefeated after seven games.

Magnolia was actually down 10-17 with about five minutes remaining in the first when Mark Barroca started the avalanche with back-to-back baskets. Lee then took over and sank three straight three-pointers to give the Hotshots the lead for good, 24-17.

From there on, it was all Hotshots. Lee’s hot shooting rubbed off on his teammates, who padded the lead as high as 23 points.

Lee scored 22 points in the first half and finished with 28 points, even though he only played for 19 minutes in the first three quarters.

Jio Jalalon ended the game with 18 points and five assists, and James Laput added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists for a double-double.

Diego Dario had his best game in a Meralco jersey with 22 points. He tried to give the Bolts a boost, but the Hotshots had an answer for every run they made.

Meralco did pose a threat in the third quarter when they cut the lead down to just four points, 69-73. However, Magnolia went on a 12-0 run, finished once again by a Lee three-pointer, to put things back in order and build a 16-point lead.

Meralco lost the game and fell to 4-3 in the standings. Bong Quinto scored 14 points, and Cliff Hodge and Franky Johnson each scored 13.

The scores

Magnolia 121 – Lee 28, Jalalon 18, Laput 14, Barroca 12, Ahanmisi 11, Eriobu 11, Tratter 8, Murrell 6, Mendoza 6, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 3,

Meralco 101 – Dario 22, Quinto 14, Hodge 13, Johnson 13, Torres 12, Almazan 10, Maliksi 8, Pascual 7, Jose 2, Pasaol 0.

Quarterscores: 27-18, 59-45, 88-70, 121-101.