MANILA – Magnolia Hotshots' perfect start to the PBA Commissioner's Cup ended on Sunday night after Barangay Ginebra handed the squad its first loss with a 103-97 win in the latest chapter of the "Manila Clasico" in front of 12,087 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Gin Kings turned things around in the fourth quarter as they came back from 15 points down to hand the Hotshots their first loss in the conference.
Down 68-83 late in the third quarter, Ginebra outscored Magnolia, 29-10, spanning through the first seven minutes of the fourth to go up, 97-93.
The Hotshots scored four straight points to force a 97-all deadlock, but the Gin Kings ended the game with six unanswered points within the last 1:19.
Struggling in the first half, Justin Brownlee exploded for 22 of his 26 points in the final 24 minutes to lead Ginebra, which moved up to 3-2 in the standings.
Jamie Malonzo added 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting, 14 rebounds, and two steals.
Paul Lee led Magnolia, which fell to second place at 5-1, with 22 points, three rebounds, and one steal.
In the first game, San Miguel Beermen preserved a hot start and tripped NLEX Road Warriors, 124-116.
The Beermen erupted for 43 points in the first quarter behind the hot hands of Marcio Lassiter and even stretched their lead to as high as 15 points, 52-37, in the second.
However, the Road Warriors, behind Earl Clark's own explosion, stayed close and were even within three, 109-112, with 3:53 left in the fourth quarter.
The Beermen sealed the win after going on an 8-0 run to up its lead to 11, 120-109, with 2:06 remaining.
Devon Scott led the Beermen, who are now at 2-3, with 26 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals, while Lassiter and Vic Manuel each added 22 points.
Clark's monster numbers of 40 points and 25 rebounds alongside five assists and two steals went down the drain as the Road Warriors fell to 3-3.
Justin Chua added 23 points and five rebounds, while Don Trollano put up 21 points, six rebounds, and two steals. (PNA)
