In survival mode, Magnolia crushes Eastern to stay in playoff hunt

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Known for its stifling defense, Magnolia shuts guest team Eastern down as it wins consecutive games for the first time in the PBA Commissioner's Cup to enhance its quarterfinal bid

ANTIPOLO, Philippines – The survival instinct kicked in for Magnolia as it flashed its dangerous form with its playoff fate on the line.

Known for their stifling defense, the Hotshots shut guest team Eastern down in a rousing 107-78 blowout to stay in the quarterfinal hunt in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center on Sunday, January 26.

Ricardo Ratliffe delivered 25 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals for Magnolia, which limited its opponent under 80 points for the first time this conference as it improved to 5-6 to tie NLEX and San Miguel at eighth place. 

“The word is survival. We tried to approach this game with a sense of urgency, with a proper mindset,” said Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero. 

“With our backs against the wall, we’re in a do-or-die situation, we go back to our strength, which is our defense.” 

Magnolia mounted a commanding 50-31 lead at the break thanks to Ratliffe pouring 16 first-half points and maintained a safe distance the rest of the way as it won consecutive games for the first time this conference. 

Young guns Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa picked up where Ratliffe left off, with the two scoring 20 points apiece.

Lucero also found time for 9 rebounds, while Lastimosa added 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca chimed in 14 and 11 points, respectively, for the Hotshots, who will face Meralco in their last elimination-round game on January 31 at the PhilSports Arena as they try to stretch their playoff streak.

It has been nearly a decade since Magnolia last failed to make the quarterfinals in the 2016 Governors’ Cup. 

“The goal is to survive, now we will live another day. We will try to prepare again for next game,” Victolero said.

Chris McLaughlin put up 20 points and 10 rebounds to pace Eastern, which fell to 7-4. 

The Scores

Magnolia 107 – Ratliffe 25, Lucero 20, Lastimosa 20, Sangalang 14, Barroca 11, Dela Rosa 8, Abueva 5, Alfaro 4, Lee 0, Dionisio 0, Laput 0.

Eastern 78 – McLaughlin 20, Yang 14, Lam 13, Blankley 9, Cao 0, Guinchard 4, Cheung 3, Pok 3, Chan 2, Zhu 1, Xu 0.

Quarters: 24-19, 50-31, 78-56, 107-78.

– Rappler.com