MAGNOLIA gave Terrence Romeo a rude reception in his Terrafirma debut as the Hotshots got back to their winning ways by beating the Dyip, 89-84, on Friday in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Ricardo Ratliffe dominated early and finished with 32 points and 14 rebounds as the Hotshots revived their playoff hopes with just their third win in eight games while ousting the winless Dyip from quarterfinal contention.
Romeo played his first game with Terrafirma since arriing in a trade with San Miguel during the offseason. He finished with three points in 13 minutes of action.
Ratliffe sealed the close win for Magnolia with a post-up move with 29.3 seconds left, setting the final score. The Magnolia import was aggressive from the start and had 16 points right in the first half.
READ Injured Paul Lee to miss crucial Magnolia game against SMB
Hotshots coach Chito Victolero said the team is treating the final stretch of games as must-wins including this showdown against Terrafirma.
“It’s a matter of who wants it more because their backs are also against the wall, do-or-die situation also for Terrafirma,” said Victolero.
“It’s another grinding game for us. Siguro diyan na kami, ‘yan na ‘yung tema ng mga games namin, always close game. So this time, we closed out the game,” said Victolero.
The Magnolia coach was obviously referring to their Christmas Clasico game against Barangay Ginebra where they squandered a 22-point lead before falling, 95-92, on a buzzer-beating three by Scottie Thompson.
Zav Lucero had 17 points while shooting 12-for-12 from the free-throw line, while Ian Sangalang added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Hotshots, who missed the services of Paul Lee due to an injury.
Lucero hit two free throws, Aris Dionisio buried a three, and Ratliffe scored on a lay-up with four minutes left to cap off a 7-0 run after Terrafirma’s last stand saw it tie the game at 75.
READ Terrence Romeo hopes to rekindle magic in Stanley Pringle reunion
“We executed well and we were disciplined down the stretch. We found the right guy in the last few seconds. Credit to the players because there is pressure, but they executed on both ends of the floor,” said Victolero.
Stanley Pringle had 22 points and five rebounds for the Dyip, while Brandon Edwards struggled on 5-for-13 shooting from the field and ended up with 14 points and eight rebounds.
The scores:
Magnolia 89 – Ratliffe 32, Lucero 17, Sangalang 13, Lastimosa 11, Dionisio 8, Barroca 4, Ahanmisi 2, Alfaro 2, Mendoza 0, Laput 0, Balanza 0, Abueva 0, Dela Rosa 0.
Terrafirma 84 – Pringle 22, Edwards 14, Ferrer 11, Nonoy 8, Paraiso 7, Manuel 6, Sangalang 6, Catapusan 5, Romeo 3, Carino 2, Hernandez 0, Melecio 0, Ramos 0.
Quarters: 28-25; 41-40; 68-66; 89-84.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
