MAGNOLIA translated its desperation into game and fashioned a 129-92 victory over an all-Filipino Meralco crew Friday to stay in the hunt for a quarterfinals slot in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
Ricardo Ratliffe tallied 31 points and 19 rebounds in leading the Hotshots' balanced attack that took full advantage of the absence of Bolts import Akil Mitchell, who sat out his second straight game to rest a back injury.
"Very proud, thankful," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero following the wire-to-wire assault that capped their third straight victory and gave them an even 6-6 record.
The work is far from done for the Hotshots, however, as they still await the outcome of the TNT-Rain or Shine match to determine which team the former would be facing in Sunday's knockout game for the eighth and last quarterfinals slot at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Magnolia win also gave the Tropang Giga a sure No. 2 slot and the last twice-to-beat reward in the playoffs' first round.
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Just being given the chance to advance following a rocky campaign for the most part of the eliminations is something Victolero is extra grateful to his players for.
"Na-appreciate ko lahat ng efforts ng players ko because talagang tinatrabaho naman nila sa practice, eh. I mean, we're practicing like (it's) a game, game situations. So talagang deserve nila na nandito sa sit'wasyon na ito," said Victolero.
"Although, iyon nga, we've been through pressure-packed games the last three games. But because of siguro our discipline and execution for the whole game I think we have a good chance," added Victolero.
"Etong chance naman na ibinigay sa amin gina-grab lang namin ang opportunity, so thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity na makapaglaro for No. 8. The only thing is, we have only one day to prepare so hopefully maka-survive again on Sunday."
Zav Lucero was foremost among those who backstopped Ratliffe, finishing with 22 points he highlighted with three straight triples that capped his 4-of-4 shooting from the three-point line and gave Magnolia a 125-90 spread, only 3:15 to go.
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"I'm sitting here right now but there's a lot of guys who were playing well tonight," said Lucero, named Player of the Game.
"We probably would have been all right if I had zero points tonight because the guys were playing with desperation and we're playing team basketball," added Lucero. "So I think whenever us, as a team, we play with each other and through each other that's when we play our best."
The loss, its second straight that dropped it to a 7-5 card, hardly mattered for Meralco as it has long secured the No. 5 seeding and a best-of-three duel with fourth-seed Barangay Ginebra.
Raymond Almazan scored a personal conference-high 23 points, but only CJ Cansino, who tallied 11 points, was able to give him ample support as the Bolts' other core members again played below par. (NC)
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 - Almazan23, Cansino 11, Black 9, Bates 8, Quinto 7, Banchero 6, Reyson 5, Torres 5, Rios 5, Mendoza 4, Caram 4, Pasaol 3, Newsome 2, Hodge 0.
QUARTERS: 35-28, 73-47, 101-75, 129-92
