MAGNOLIA extended its conference on Friday, outclassing Meralco, 129-92, to arrange a playoff for No. 8 in the quarterfinals of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
Ricardo Ratliffe had 31 points and 19 rebounds to set the stage for the rout at the Philsports Arena for the Hotshots against a Bolts squad that sat out Akil Mitchell for the second straight game, and practically had nothing to play for in the match-up in having alraedy sealed the fifth-seed.
The Hotshots will fight for the No. 8 spot on Sunday at the Ynares Center against either NLEX or Rain or Shine if the Elasto Painters lose to TNT in the second game.
With the Magnolia win, the Tropang Giga have clinched the second-seed, as well as the last twice-to-beat advantage for the quarterfinals.
Meralco, on the other hand, closes the elimination round with a 7-5 win-loss record, and will now prepare for No. 4 Barangay Ginebra in the best-of-three quarterfinals.
Ricardo comes through in must-win
Ratliffe already had 15 points in the first that saw the Hotshots lead by as many as 16 points in quarter.
Magnolia then outscored the Bolts, 38-19, in the second period to romp to a 73-47 halftime advantage on their way to their best offensive output of the conference.
“Very proud and thankful, na-appreciate ko ‘yung effort ng players ko,” said coach Chito Victolero. “Talagang tinatrabaho naman nila sa practice. We are practicing like game situations. Deserve nila na nandito sa sitwasyon na ito.”
“We’ve been in pressure-packed games for the last three games, but because of our discipline and execution for the whole game, we have a good chance. Itong chance na binigay sa amin, gina-grab lang namin ‘yung opportunity.”
Zavier Lucero had 22 points, while Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca chipped in 18 markers for the Hotsohts, who ended the elims on a three-game winning streak.
Raymond Almazan had 23 points, while CJ Cansino added 11 points, as the Bolts slumped to their second straight loss before the quarterfinals.
The scores:
MAGNOLIA 129 – Ratliffe 31, Lucero 22, Sangalang 18, Barroca 18, Abueva 14, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Lastimosa 6, Alfaro 2, Dela Rosa 2, Laput 2, Eriobu 0, Balanza 0.
MERALCO 92 – Almazan 23, Cansino 11, Black 9, Bates 8, Quinto 7, Banchero 6, Reyson 5, Rios 5, Torres 5, Mendoza 4, Caram 4, Pasaol 3, Newsome 2, Hodge 0.
Quarters: 35-28; 73-47; 101-75; 129-92.
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