MANILA (UPDATED) - The Magnolia Hotshots are one win away from the semifinals of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup after holding on for a 98-89 triumph against the NLEX Road Warriors, Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots pulled away thanks to a huge second quarter but needed a strong defensive stand down to stretch to win Game 1 of their best-of-3 quarterfinals series.

Mark Barroca led the way for the Hotshots, scoring 18 of his 24 points in the first half en route to becoming the newest member of the PBA's 5000 career points club. Five other players reached double-digits for Magnolia, as they shot 45.7% from the field.

"It's very hard, talagang grinding game," Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said afterward. "Kahit na hanggang dulo, they are very physical, emotional. So we just try to be focused for 48 minutes."

"We want to give our best effort, our 100% effort every single possession," he added. "[Tonight], medyo maganda ang execution namin on both ends."

Momentum shifted in Magnolia's favor in the second quarter, where they out-scored NLEX 40-21. The Hotshots made 15 of their 17 shots in the pivotal period, including all three of their attempts from long range. Barroca had 11 points in the frame after going 4-of-4 from the field.

The Hotshots took a 64-47 lead into the halftime break and were able to maintain that double-digit advantage for most of the second half.

The Road Warriors got within nine points, 92-83, off a Matt Nieto triple with five minutes left but the Hotshots restored order thanks to back-to-back buckets from Barroca and Ian Sangalang. NLEX last threatened with 1:15 to go when Paul Varilla's layup made it 96-89.

But Magnolia caught a break in the next possession when what appeared to be a shot-clock violation went uncalled by the referees. Out of an NLEX timeout, Calvin Abueva stole the ball for the slam dunk that pegged the final score and dashed any hopes of a comeback for the Road Warriors.

Abueva and Paul Lee each had 13 points in the Magnolia win. The Hotshots had a 53-36 rebounding advantage.

Anthony Semerad had 18 points while Calvin Oftana and Don Trollano each scored 15 for the Road Warriors. They missed the presence of Kevin Alas as well as Kris Rosales, who are both in health and safety protocols.

Magnolia can secure a semifinals berth with another win in Game 2 on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

The Scores:

MAGNOLIA 98 – Barroca 24, Lee 13, Abueva 13, Sangalang 12, Jalalon 10, Corpuz 10, Dela Rosa 6, Wong 5, Dionisio 3, Reavis 2, Escoto 0

NLEX 89 – Semerad 19, Oftana 15, Trollano 15, Nieto 12, Chua 11, Quinahan 8, Paniamogan 3, Soyud 2, Varilla 2, Ighalo 2

QUARTERS: 24-26, 64-47, 81-70, 98-89