The PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals cast is officially complete. This after the Magnolia Hotshots turned back the NLEX Road Warriors, 112-81, in their knockout match for the eighth and last playoff spot on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
A 21-21 end to the first quarter and a 44-all deadlock going to intermission suggested an epic conclusion to this all-important outing. But Magnolia began imposing its will in the third canto, particularly with an 11-0 blitz that put the Hotshots ahead 61-50. Another 9-0 run late in the third gave Magnolia a 79-64 cushion.
Magnolia ended the third on top, 80-67, and then poured it on in the final canto, clamping down NLEX to 14 points while firing 32 to finish the rout and seal a twice-to-win dance with the NorthPort Batang Pier.
Ricardo Ratliffe thoroughly outplayed Best Import leader Mike Watkins, limiting him to a measly 10 points while going off for 32 points, 18 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Zav Lucero added 14, while Ian Sangalang and Rome dela Rosa each had 13.
Robert Bolick tried to carry the fight for NLEX with a team-high 27, but the Road Warriors sorely missed the production of Watkins, who shot 3-for-13 overall and looked out of sorts even on defense.
Is Magnolia Peaking at the Right Time?
Magnolia’s dismantling of NLEX completes the teams’ turnaround from 3-6 and in danger of missing the playoffs to arguably the PBA’s hottest team. Since sliding down to 10th in the standings, the Hotshots have won four straight do-or-die games, displaying their trademark smothering defense and showing some serious firepower along the way.
The Chito Victolero-helmed squad now set their sights on the Batang Pier, who ended the eliminations at 9-3 to secure the top seed and the win-once advantage it provides. The two teams face off on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
Magnolia (112) – Ratliffe 32, Lucero 14, Sangalang 13, Dela Rosa 13, Barroca 11, Dionisio 8, Abueva 8, Lastimosa 5, Balanza 4, Lee 4, Alfaro 0, Laput 0, Eriobu 0
NLEX (81) – Bolick 27, Mocon 13, Alas 12, Watkins 10, Torres 10, Semerad 5, Policarpio 2, Nieto 2, Ramirez 0, Rodger 0, Herndon 0
PBA Commissioner’s Cup: The Quarterfinals Begin
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup will now enter the quarterfinals stage, where the top two seeds—NorthPort and TNT Tropang Giga—will have a win-once advantage. Seeds 3–6 will play in a best-of-three.
Next up on Wednesday will be the two best-of-three series. Third seed Converge FiberXers will face sixth seed Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the first game, while fourth seed Barangay Ginebra San Miguel goes up against fifth seed Meralco Bolts in the second game. Both games will be at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
