EPIC ENDING! Super Marcio at CJ Perez for the Win! | Iyak ang Magnolia Choke nanaman sa Dulo!

EPIC ENDING! Super Marcio at CJ Perez for the Win! | Magnolia’s Heartbreak at the Buzzer—Again!

The final quarter of the game between San Miguel Beermen and Magnolia Hotshots had the intensity of a blockbuster thriller, complete with plot twists, near misses, and an ending no one saw coming. For Magnolia fans, it was another gut-wrenching chapter in their saga of “so close, yet so far.” For the Beermen, it was a showcase of why they remain basketball royalty.

The Build-Up
The arena buzzed with anticipation as the fourth quarter began. Magnolia, known for their unrelenting hustle, had clawed their way back from a double-digit deficit. Led by the ever-reliable Paul Lee and the high-flying Calvin Abueva, the Hotshots looked poised to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The crowd was electric, their chants and cheers a deafening backdrop to every dribble and pass.

On the other side, the Beermen had their own weapons—Marcio Lassiter, whose shooting form could inspire poetry, and CJ Perez, the human highlight reel. With Junemar Fajardo sidelined due to injury, the Beermen leaned heavily on their dynamic duo, and boy, did they deliver.

The Clutch Moments
With three minutes left, Magnolia held a slim 90-88 lead. Every possession felt like life or death. Abueva, true to his moniker “The Beast,” powered through the lane for an and-one, sending Magnolia fans into a frenzy. But San Miguel refused to fold. Lassiter drained a cold-blooded triple, silencing the Magnolia faithful momentarily.

CJ Perez then decided it was time to show why he’s the future of Philippine basketball. A coast-to-coast layup followed by a contested fadeaway tied the game at 95. With under a minute left, the stage was set for an unforgettable finale.

The Epic Finish
Magnolia had the ball with 15 seconds left, a chance to reclaim glory. Paul Lee weaved through defenders but missed a contested jumper. The rebound fell into CJ Perez’s hands with just 7 seconds remaining.

Perez sprinted down the court, drawing in Magnolia’s defense. At the last possible moment, he dished it to Marcio Lassiter, who was waiting at the corner. Lassiter let it fly—a perfect arc, nothing but net. The buzzer sounded, and the Beermen erupted in celebration.

Magnolia players could only watch in disbelief, the sting of another near-miss etched on their faces. For their fans, it was heartbreak revisited.

The Takeaway
For San Miguel fans, it was a reminder of the team’s championship DNA. For Magnolia? It’s back to the drawing board. Will the Hotshots learn to close out games, or will the ghosts of their past continue to haunt them? One thing’s for sure—when these teams meet again, you won’t want to miss it!