PBA: Magnolia knocks off NLEX for last quarterfinal ticket

Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe during a knockout game against NLEX in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Magnolia turned things up in the third period to pull away from NLEX, 112-81, to capture the eighth and final seed in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Import Ricardo Ratliffe and Zavier Lucero came through for the Hotshots at Ynares Center in Antipolo City, keeping their playoff hopes alive and arranging yet another survival match against top-seeded and well-rested NorthPort.

“Credit to the players and Ricardo. I just told them at halftime to start dominating on defense. We were tentative in the first half but I told them to stick to our strength which was defense,” Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said, whose charges will try to stave off elimination again, no thanks to a twice-to-win advantage against the Batang Pier, on Thursday.

READ: PBA: Magnolia hopes to keep surviving for last playoff spot

“I told them that all frustrations we had in the past, it all boiled down to this game. So credit to the players, they embraced the challenges and struggle. Our grit showed in this game,” the champion coach added.

Ratliffe finished with 32 points and 14 rebounds while Lucero added 14 and six in the gutsy display that kept the San Miguel group franchise in play for a title following the untimely exit of sister team San Miguel a few days ago.

READ: PBA: Zavier Lucero says ‘team basketball’ keeping Magnolia alive

NLEX, behind the heroics of Robert Bolick Jr., tried to make things interesting in the final period only to be denied by Ratliffe and Lucero and key contributions from Rome dela Rosa, Ian Sanagalang and Mark Barroca.

Bolick delivered 27 points, while Javee Mocon and Kevin Alas chipped in twin digit scores for the Road Warriors, who bowed out despite starting the conference hot and looked poised for a second-straight quarterfinal appearance.