PBA: With sense of urgency, Magnolia picks up crucial win
Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe during a game against Hong Kong in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia turned things up a notch on both ends in the second period on Sunday night to dismantle Hong Kong, 107-78, and keep its quarterfinal hopes alive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“The word was ‘survival.’ We tried to approach this game with a sense of urgency. With backs against the wall, in a do-or-die situation, we go to our strength, which is our defense,” head coach Chito Victolero said shortly after the critical triumph.
The Hotshots held Eastern to just 12 points and then scored 26 in that telling period to put the enemy firmly at the backseat of the contest at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
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Import Ricardo Ratliffe showed the way with 25 points and 16 rebounds, while Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa chipped in 20 points each in the effort that hiked Magnolia’s record to 5-6 for a share of the 8th spot.
Ian Sangalang had 14 points while Mark Barroca 11 for the perennial title contenders who pushed the visitors to the No. 4 spot with their fourth loss in 11 outings.
“Now we will need another game, and we’ll try to prepare for that next game,” Victolero said, referring to another must-win against Meralco on Jan. 31.
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Import Chris McLaughlin had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Glen Yan tossed in 14 while Kobey Lam 13 points in the losing stand that would’ve helped them move closer to the second spot of the conference and the playoff perk that comes with it.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 107 – Ratliffe 25, Lastimosa 20, Lucero 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, Cao 9, Blankley 9, Guinchard 4, Cheung 3, Pok 3, Chan 2, Zhu 1, Xu 0.
Quarterscores: 24-19, 50-31, 78-56, 107-78.
