The PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday was all about getting out of the bottom of the standings for all four teams who played at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Here is a recap of the action:
Magnolia Escapes Terrafirma in War of Attrition
The Magnolia Hotshots kept their dimming playoff hopes alive with an 89-84 escape act over the still winless Terrafirma Dyip.
Magnolia and Terrafirma went at it all game long in a matchup that saw 19 lead changes and 7 deadlocks. But the former did just enough down the stretch to eke out a win, with Ricardo Ratliffe leading the way. The hardworking import finished with 32 points and 14 boards and had the game-sealing undergoal stab with 29 seconds remaining. Zavier Lucero and Ian Sangalang added 17 and 13, respectively, for the Hotshots, who improved to 3-5.
Stanley Pringle spearheaded Terrafirma’s courageous stand with 22 points—his best output with the Dyip this season. Brandon Edwards, though, finished with only 14.
Up next:
Magnolia vs. San Miguel Beermen on January 12 (Ynares Center)
Terrafirma vs. Blackwater Bossing on January 15 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
The Scores:
Magnolia (89) – Ratliffe 32, Lucero 17, Sangalang 13, Lastimosa 11, Dionisio 8, Barroca 4, Alfaro 2, Ahanmisi 2
Terrafirma (84) – Pringle 22, Edwards 14, Ferrer 11, Nonoy 8, Paraiso 7, Manuel 6, Catapusan 5, Romeo 3, Carino 2
Meralco Gets Better of NLEX with Big Endgame
A good start and an even greater finish propelled the Meralco Bolts to a 105-91 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors in what had been a game of runs.
Akil Mitchell had 24 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals to lead the Bolts, who won the first quarter, 29-24, and finished the game on a 28-13 blitz. Bong Quinto added 16, while CJ Cansino chipped in with 13. Aaron Black and Chris Banchero also got to double-digits with 11 apiece. Big man Brandon Bates also played a key role, scoring 8 and blocking 4 shots.
NLEX stayed in the game behind the efforts of Mike Watkins (38 points, 21 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Robert Bolick (19 points and 10 assists). Berto, however, was locked up in the fourth as he went scoreless in the face of Meralco’s strong finish. Rookie Brandon Ramirez was also a bright spot for NLEX, scoring 12 points on two triples in his PBA debut.
Up next:
Meralco vs. NorthPort Batang Pier on January 14 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
NLEX vs. TNT Tropang Giga on January 15 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
The Scores:
Meralco (105) – Mitchell 24, Quinto 16, Cansino 13, Banchero 11, Black 11, Newsome 10, Hodge 9, Bates 8, Rois 3
NLEX (91) – Watkins 38, Bolick 19, Ramirez 12, Policarpio 6, Alas 5, Mocon 5, Torres 3, Semerad 3
PBA Commissioner’s Cup’s Saturday Slate with Huge Playoff Implications
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup later today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium will have huge playoff implications. In the first game, TNT will be taking on the Converge FiberXers, with both teams looking to move up the standings. In the nightcap, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will go up against the Phoenix Fuel Masters, with the former looking to keep pace with NorthPort at the top and Phoenix looking to get into the middle of the pack.
