By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno – PNA
MANILA — Jio Jalalon came up huge down the stretch even as his fellow Magnolia Hotshots stifled the Alaska Aces defensively, as the former took a 2-0 lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals via a 77-71 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Friday night.
While Jalalon’s eventual game-winner happened at the 2:40 mark of the final period, it was Magnolia’s defense that held fort as it held Alaska scoreless in the last 4:55 of the game.
Jalalon eventually iced the game with two free throws with 15.9 seconds left, while Rafi Reavis even put the exclamation point with a two-handed dunk with 6.1 seconds to go.
Romeo Travis made 24 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and four steals for the Hotshots, who came back from nine points down in the third quarter.
Ian Sangalang added 11 points, five rebounds, two blocks, and one steal off the bench, while Jalalon finished with seven points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.
Mike Harris put up 22 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, and three steals for the Aces, but he too had seven of their 26 total turnovers.
