MANILA, Philippines – Vernon Macklin bid goodbye in the most ecstatic way by burying the go-ahead freebies that lifted Magnolia to an 81-79 win over Meralco in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, May 18. 

Macklin, who will leave the Hotshots to play in China’s National Basketball League, iced the game with a pair of free throws that shattered a 79-all deadlock with 3 seconds left and secured Magnolia its 3rd straight win. 

The 31-year-old import churned out team-highs of 21 points and 15 rebounds as the Hotshots improved to 3-1 and handed the Bolts, who were likewise gunning for a 3rd straight win, their second loss in 5 outings. 

“We know na this is his last game and he needs to fly to China. But binigay parin niya lahat eh. I’m very happy, I’m very proud of V-Mack kasi talagang he’s very professional,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero of Macklin.

(We know that this is his last game and he needs to fly to China. But he still gave it his all today. I’m very proud of V-Mack because he’s very professiona.)

Meralco had a chance to tie the game off a pinpoint Baser Amer inbound pass but Chris Newsome, despite not having any defenders around him, muffed the alley-oop play. 

Paul Lee, who knotted the score at 79-all with his foul shots, dished the ball to Macklin for the go-ahead free throws before finishing with 20 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds. 

Mark Barroca added 18 points, with 12 coming in the last frame, to go with 5 steals, 3 rebounds and two assists in the win. 

The Bolts were primed to bag the victory as they led by 7 points with less than two minutes left in the game until free throw woes began haunting them down the stretch.

Import Arinze Onuaku had plenty of chances to put Meralco in a good position to win but missed 4 straight free throws down the stretch, including two that could have given the Bolts a 4-point lead with 51 seconds remaining in the clock. 

Despite chalking up 23 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, Onuaku missed 16 of his 21 fouls shots for a horrendous 24%, with 8 coming in the 4th quarter alone. 

Backcourt mates Newsome and Amer conjoined for 29 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists in the loss. 

The Scores: 

Magnolia (81): Macklin 21, Lee 20, Barroca 18, Reavis 6, Jalalon 6, Ramos 3, Herndon 3, Dela Rosa 2, Brondial 2, Pascual 0, Sangalang 0, Simon 0, Abundo 0

Meralco (79): Onuaku 23, Newsome 15, Amer 14, Dillinger 12, Canaleta 7, Caram 4, Baracael 2, Hugnatan 2, Hodge 0

Quarter scores: 19-16; 34-31; 56-50; 81-79 – Rappler.com