MANILA — The Magnolia Hotshots bounced back from a narrow Game 1 defeat with an overwhelming show of force to scuttle the NLEX Road Warriors, 99-84, in Game 2 of their best-of-7 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Mall of Asia Monday night.

Limited to just eight points in Saturday’s Game 1 loss, Paul Lee came out belching fire right from the get-go Monday night, exploding for a team-high 27 points on top of four rebounds, three assists, and three steals in less than 29 minutes.

The Hotshots thus tied the series at 1-1 with Game 3 set Wednesday.

Ian Sangalang contributed 18 points and eight boards in over 34 minutes. Mark Barroca added 11 markers. Rome dela Rosa and Aldrech Ramos chipped in 10 each while Jio Jalolon and PJ Simon had eight points apiece. Jalolon also had 10 assists and six rebounds. He also shone on defense, limiting NLEX’s sensational rookie and top scorer Kiefer Ravena to just nine points on seven attempts and forcing him to commit five turnovers in 22 minutes as a starter.

Magnolia shot a sizzling 50 percent from the floor, making 35 of 70 attempts. The Hotshots also tightened up on defense, holding NLEX to a 41.9-percent shooting.

The Hotshots won despite missing the services of two injured players — Marc Pingris and Justin Melton. Pingris has been ruled out not just for the Philippine Cup but for the entire season due to an ACL injury he suffered Saturday.

Alex Mallari and JR Quinahan led NLEX with 13 points apiece while Rabeh Al-Hussaini had 10 in a losing effort.

Determined to bounce back from a loss, the Hotshots erected a 12-point lead, 32-20, in the first half. The Road Warriors came to within four, 66-62, with 1:14 to play in the third quarter, but it was the closest they could come as the Hotshots came firing back to douse the NLEX rally with Simon unloading all his eight points in the fourth quarter.

Game Tuesday: San Miguel Beermen vs. Barangay Ginebra Kings (Game 3 of best-of-7 semifinals; SMB leads, 2-0).