Paul Lee, Magnolia nab first win after beating Converge
Magnolia Hotshots’ Paul Lee against Converge FIberXers in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES
Save for a couple of moments, Magnolia looked in control all of Friday night, trouncing Converge, 105-93, to capture its first victory in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Paul Lee starred for the Hotshots, finishing with 14 points, four rebounds and seven assists to lead the club from a rebound victory after dropping the season opener against Meralco last Sunday.
“Coming from a bad conference, I just wanted to bounce back. Everything starts with me—with my physical conditioning followed next with my mental conditioning. So I just used those as motivation and so far, I’m glad I’m seeing results,” the veteran gunner said shortly after the win at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup elimination round
Glenn Robinson had 28 points to lead all of Magnolia, while making things difficult for the Converge ace Alec Stockton, ultimately limiting the FiberXers to just 93 points following their 127-95 blowout of Terrafirma earlier this week.
“We wanted to limit them under 100 points. Our actual goal was actually 92 points. Perhaps in the last five minutes we relaxed a bit, because we thought we’ve already won. We need to address that situation,” head coach Chito Victolero said.
“But a win is a win,” he added.
READ: PBA: Paul Lee feels thrill of 4-pointers in season opener
Scotty Hopson had 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Kevin Racal added 17 more in the scoring effort that missed Stockton and former Rookie of the Year Justin Arana who finished with three points and 10 points, respectively.
Jerrick Ahanmisi hit three four-pointers—the most by any local since the PBA adopted the new rule to spice its games.
Magnolia and Converge both now sport identical 1-1 win-loss records, joining Meralco, and NorthPort in the Group A play that is currently being paced by TNT.
Both the Hotshots and the FiberXers have the Tropang Giga next in their schedule.
