MAGNOLIA completed the quarterfinal cast in its group, while NLEX made it an interesting battle for the remaining playoff spot in the other bracket as the PBA Governors’ Cup group stage came down to its final three playdates.
The Hotshots whipped the Northport Batang Pier, 110-94, in a battle of two import-less teams, while the Road Warriors made short work of also-ran Phoenix Fuel Masters, 104-79.
Magnolia’s fifth win in nine outings tied it with Converge at no. 3 in Group A heading to their Monday showdown to determine which team gets the higher seeding.
The loss by the Batang Pier eliminated them in the race for a playoffs berth.
Meanwhile, NLEX improved to a 4-5 record for solo fourth place in Group B, one game ahead of Blackwater (3-5) in the race for the last quarterfinals slot in their bracket.
Phoenix ended its campaign toting a 1-9 slate.
The takeaways in Friday’s games at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium
1.ÀLL-FILIPINO LINEUP IN IMPORT-LADEN MEET
In a rare night, Magnolia and Northport battled each other with an all-Filipino cast in an import-flavored tournament. The Hotshots' Shabazz Muhammad had a swollen right knee, while the Batang Pier's Venky Jois went under the knife early in the day for an Achilles ruptured tendon.
It was a rather unusual outing that PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III and even Commissioner Willie Marcial couldn't think of any games in the past where both teams played with an all-local crew in a conference featuring imports. Nonetheless, Magnolia proved it has the better local support by posting a 16-point win.
READ: Magnolia goes all-Filipino, still gets playoff berth at NorthPort's expense
2.NLEX, BLACKWATER DISPUTE LAST PLAYOFFS SPOT
With Magnolia securing a quarterfinals berth, the race for the final quarterfinals berth is now down between the Road Warriors and Bossing. Both are in Group B and NLEX has the edge right now following its victory over Phoenix, hiking its record to 4-5 overall.
Now the pressure is on the Bossing (3-5) as they need to get past San Miguel and Rain or Shine in its final two games. The Road Warriors are not exactly out of the woods yet as they also have to win in their last outing against Barangay Ginebra to avoid any complications by the end of the group stage.
READ: NLEX, Blackwater dispute final QFs spot in Group B
3.DIONISIO ETCHES NAME IN PUREFOODS FRANCHISE HISTORY
Veteran forward Aris Dionisio broke through for a career high 30 points in the win over the Batang Pier. He spiked up the number by draining a new franchise mark of nine three pointers made in a game on 9-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc. He broke the previous record of eight three pointers converted by former guard Boyet Fernandez during the 2001 season.
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