The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots grabbed their first win in the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals.
Hotshots survived San Miguel Beer, 88-80, on Game Three at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Wednesday, February 8.
Andy Barroca scored 20 points and Paul Lee aded 12 points for Magnolia to escape a 3-0 hole in the best-of-seven series.
Back-to-back baskets by Ian Sangalang allowed the Hotshots to grab their biggest lead in the game, 80-64, in the fourth quarter.
A three-point basket by Bennie Boatwright Jr. allowed San Miguel to cut the deficit down to eight points but, with only 27 seconds remaining in the game, Magnolia only needed to run down the clock in order to take the win.
Boatwright finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds in his first loss with the Beermen.
CJ Perez also tallied 16 points while Junemar Fajardo chipped in 11 points and 13 rebounds for San Miguel that only took the lead in the first quarter.
The Hotshots have a chance to tie the series, 2-all, in Game Four on Friday, February 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
