The Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok were successful to keep the San Miguel Beermen below 100 points and the result is a victory.
The Hotshots is once again back in the driver seat after making a bounce back game against the Beermen, 86-82.
Rebounding is one of the tools for Magnolia to snag the 2-1 series lead. They out-rebounded the Beermen 71-46 despite they have June Mar Fajardo on San Miguel’s side.
Rafi Reavis who is now playing in his 17th season played almost like “the Kraken” in Game Three with his 17 points and 15 rebounds performance.
Mark Barroca paced the Hotshots throughout the game and delivered 22 points along with 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
In the first half, coach Chito Victolero gave a different looks in his lineup as he entered Kyle Pascual. Usually it was Rodney Brondial who make a sub for Ian Sangalang.
Pascual gave the Hotshots 8 points 5 rebounds but his defense where he shutdown Christian Standhardinger is a big factor.
Arwind Santos led SMB with his 19 points and he needed to adjust his game to keep the score close. Usually Santos plays catch-and-shoot during their hi-low play with Fajardo but in this game he was seen slashing in the lane just like in his much younger years in the league.
Marcio Lassiter who had an impressive game last Friday seems like lost his touches. Lassiter was only 2-of-9 from the field and only finished with six points.
The 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals will resume on Wednesday for its Game Four match.
Magnolia vs San Miguel Box Score
Quarters: 21-24 | 36-45 | 66-58 | 86-82
Hotshots (86) – Barroca 22, Sangalang 17, Reavis 16, Lee 8, Jalalon 7, Dela Rosa 7, Pascual 6, Ramos 3
Beermen (82) – Santos 19, Fajardo 17, Romeo 15, Cabagnot 11, Lassiter 6, Ross 7, Standhardinger 7