WATCH: Magnolia vs Meralco Game Highlights [2021 Governors’ Cup | March 2, 2022]

Ian Sangalang became a third key Magnolia player sidelined by an injury.
Still, the Hotshots found a way to get going and win.

Their “next man up” mentality came to the fore even more as the Hotshots eventually claimed a win-once bonus in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals with a gritty come-from-behind 88-85 win over the Meralco Bolts Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mike Harris powered his way to 30 points and 22 rebounds, with Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Adrian Wong and Jio Jalalon supporting their import with double-digit outputs as Magnolia improved to 8-1 for a sure spot in the Top Four at the end of the single-round-robin elims.

With back-to-back losses, the Bolts slid down to joint third with the Alaska Milk Aces at 6-3.

“Wala akong mahihingi pa sa mga players. Kulang-kulang kami because of injuries, but no excuses laban pa rin,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, also missing the services of Calvin Abueva and Rome dela Rosa.

“Ang ganda ng pace ng Meralco sa first half; natalo kami sa pace. Pero nakakuha kami ng magandang momentum in the second half on defense. We limited their import; yung defensive execution namin medyo na-stop sila,” Victolero also said.