Paul Lee delivered a shooting clinic with four 4-point shots to power the Magnolia Hotshots to a dominant 117-92 win over the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday night. The explosive guard finished with 27 points in just 21 minutes of action, helping Magnolia remain undefeated at 6-0 in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup.

Lee drained three of his four 4-point bombs during a blistering fourth-quarter run that turned a competitive game into a rout. Magnolia outscored Meralco 33-19 in the final frame, with Lee spearheading the surge that shut the door on the Bolts.

Balanced Scoring Behind Lee’s Fireworks

The Hotshots weren’t reliant on Lee alone as multiple teammates stepped up with double-digit scoring efforts. Ian Sangalang flirted with a double-double, recording 16 points and 9 rebounds, while Zavi Lucero, James Laput, and Rome dela Rosa all chipped in 11 apiece.

Mark Barroca, Jerom Lastimosa, and Peter Alfaro III also provided solid support with 9 points each. Magnolia’s team-oriented offense overwhelmed Meralco, who struggled to keep pace despite Chris Banchero’s 20-point outing.

Tense Moments Mar Late Game Action

The game turned heated late after Cliff Hodge was whistled for a flagrant foul penalty 1 on Lucero, igniting a brief confrontation. The incident drew reaction from the crowd as slow-motion replays showed the dangerous nature of the tackle.

Despite the drama, Magnolia maintained its composure and continued to pour in points. Lee’s efficient 4-of-5 shooting from the 4-point zone highlighted a clinical team performance on both ends of the floor.

Magnolia’s Unbeaten Run Faces Tough Road Ahead

The Hotshots now sit firmly atop the standings at 6-0, reaching the halfway point of their elimination round campaign in style. Upcoming opponents include tough matchups against Rain or Shine, NorthPort, Barangay Ginebra, NLEX, and TNT.

Meralco, meanwhile, dropped to 3-5 and is now clinging to the eighth spot in the team standings. The Bolts look to bounce back with their final games against Blackwater, NLEX, and Ginebra.