MAGNOLIA stayed in shape - mentally and physically - from the long break, smothering Philippine Cup finals tormentor TNT Tropang Giga, 96-93, in the PBA Governors' Cup restart Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mike Harris picked up from where he left off in the initial tournament hostilities, powering his way to 41 points and 18 rebounds as the Hotshots roared to a fourth win in as many starts.
Paul Lee (with 15 points) and Mark Barroca (14) contributed double-digit outputs and Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva and Rafi Reavis had their shares in a solid team effort overcoming TNT's 13-of-35 three-point shooting.
Outside sniping got the Tropang Giga back into the game after falling behind by as big as 19.
But the Hotshots stayed unfazed and went on to deal the Tropang Giga a third loss against two wins.
At 96-93, Harris had a chance to wrap things up from the line with 2.9 ticks to go.
He missed both shots but grabbed the loose ball to win it for the Hotshots just the same.
The bull-strong import came out firing, going 6-of-6 from the field as Magnolia raced to a 31-14 spread in the opening quarter.
The Hotshots sustained the romp through the next two periods until Gab Banal sparked a TNT assault from afar as the Tropang Giga rolled ahead, 78-77, early in the fourth.
Three straight treys by Banal got TNT to within five, 66-71, at the close of the third.
Then Ryan Reyes, Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro took over, keeping the fire to set the stage for a tight finish.
But the Hotshots won't waver, outmaneuvering the Tropang Giga in the homestretch to preserve their clean slate.
