MANILA — The Magnolia Hotshots used their vaunted defense to frustrate the NLEX Road Warriors, winning 87-78, in the pivotal Game 5 of their 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series at Ynares Center in Antipolo City Sunday night.

The Hotshots thus took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and could wrap it all up with another victory Tuesday night.

The two squads engaged in a fierce battle from the get-go up to the start of the fourth quarter when the Hotshots unleashed a decisive 16-4 run to turn a 59-58 edge into a 13-point lead, 75-62, halfway in the final period.

Mark Barroca led four players in double digits for Magnolia with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists. Aldrech Ramos and Paul Lee added 15 points apiece, with Ramos also snaring nine rebounds and Lee getting four assists, and three rebounds.

Ian Sangalang chipped in 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.

Kiefer Ravena led NLEX with 21 points and five assists. Alex Mallari added 11 points and nine rebounds that did not matter in the end.

The Road Warriors were saddled with the loss of Kevin Alas who injured his right knee while going for a drive less than a minute after the game started.

Magnolia’s tenacious defense held the Road Warriors to a miserable 37.5 percent shooting, making just 30 of their 80 shots.

The Hotshots also had a low 39.7 percent shooting from the field but hit the shots that mattered in the payoff period.

Game Tuesday: Magnolia Hotshots vs. NLEX Road Warriors (Game 6 of their best-of-7 semifinal series; Magnolia leads. 3-2).