Magnolia Hotshots celebrate a basket by Paul Lee during a game against Meralco Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
Paul Lee’s brilliant shooting from the four-point line was overshadowed by a late skirmish that marred Magnolia’s 117-91 win over Meralco that stretched its unbeaten record in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Lee knocked down three four-pointers which paved the way for the first-place Hotshots to pull away and secure their sixth consecutive victory in as many matches in the all-Filipino tournament.
That, however, became an afterthought of sorts when tempers flared with 2:16 left in the game after the Bolts’ Cliff Hodge was slapped with a Flagrant Foul 1 for holding Hotshots forward Zavier Lucero’s head.
WATCH: Magnolia's Zavier Lucero confronts Meralco's Cliff Hodge after a hard foul late in the fourth quarter of their PBA Philippine Cup game at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, triggering a bench-clearing incident between both teams. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/FQDRcC4jEj
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 14, 2025
Lucero confronted Hodge after the whistle, and appeared initially that things would cool off. But both players had another exchange of words, triggering both teams to clear their benches.
Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio was seen being separated by players after a verbal altercation with Meralco active consultant Nenad Vucinic while Hodge later claimed that he was headbutted by a member of the Hotshots coaching staff during the incident.
Both Lucero and Meralco’s Raymond Almazan were each slapped with a technical.
Magnolia Hotshots’ Paul Lee during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Meralco Bolts. –PBA IMAGES
The tussle only compounded the latest woes of Meralco, which dropped to 3-5 with a second straight loss. The Bolts have struggled after starting their defense of the Philippine Cup with back-to-back victories.
Lee finished with 27 points as his quadruples enabled Magnolia to widen its gap anew as Meralco tried to mount a comeback multiple times in the fourth.
Magnolia’s next game is Sunday against Rain or Shine in Montalban, Rizal while Meralco will try to end its skid on Wednesday opposite Blackwater at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Chris Banchero scored 20 points for the Bolts.