Magnolia frustrates SMB anew, ties finals series at 2-2

American import Tyler Bey and Paul Lee joined hands in leading Magnolia’s blazing fourth-quarter finish to subdue San Miguel Beer, 96-85, in Game Four and tie the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven title series at 2-2 on Friday, February 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Two days after being limited to just 11 points, his conference-low, the athletic Bey erupted for 26 points, while hauling down 12 rebounds, to go along with six blocks and a steal.

magnolia frustrates smb anew, ties finals series at 2-2

Magnolia frustrates SMB anew, ties finals series at 2-2

The 25-year-old Magnolia import out of Colorado fired eight points in the critical fourth period, while Lee added seven, including a booming triple with under two minutes to go to give the Hotshots a 94-83 lead.

The Beermen went ice cold from there after being outscored, 24-12 in the final period, which doomed their bid to grab a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Instead, San Miguel’s back-to-back losses in the Finals reduced the title series to a best-of-three affair.

The win was a fitting follow up for Magnolia’s Game Three on Wednesday win where the wards of coach Chito Victolero scored an 88-80 triumph.

“Everything boils down to our defense. We limited them again to under 90 points, which was our goal, and we feel that with the series going to this defensive game, we have an opportunity to win,” said Victolero during the post-game interview with media men.

Magnolia, the top defensive team in the tournament, again leaned on Bey’s defensive energy that muzzled San Miguel’s prolific reinforcement Bennie Boatwright.

Bey’s defensive effort was evident all throughout Game Four, resulting in Boatwright’s personal conference-low of 16 points, 13 below his finals average.

The former USC Trojan gunner shot just 5-of-16 in the game, and had a frigid 1-of-9 shooting from three-point zone as well.

“TBey embraced that match up with Bennie,” said Victolero. “He’s a very smart player, and he realized he can play both ends of the floor. But the most important thing is he played good defense on Boatwright. He’s the one who asked for that.”

Lee and veteran guard Mark Barroca each scored 14 points, while Ian Sangalang and Jio Jalalon added 10.

Calvin Abueva also brought energy off the bench after contributing nine and 11 boards, along with two steals.

June Mar Fajardo led San Miguel with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while CJ Perez, who before Game Four was crowned the Best Player of the Conference, finished with 17 points.

Don Trollano chipped in 12 points while Jericho Cruz returned from a one-game suspension for incurring five technical fouls in the conference and contributed 11 points.

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