Hotshots repulse Road Warriors, secure last playoffs ticket
Magnolia secured their place in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Last Eight with a decisive 112-81 victory over NLEX in a thrilling do-or-die clash on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
After a tightly contested first half that ended in a 44-all deadlock, the Hotshots unleashed a dazzling display, outmaneuvering the Road Warriors to clinch their quarterfinal spot. They will now face the daunting task of challenging the twice-to-beat top seed NorthPort.
The playoff excitement kicks off Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where mid-tier teams will engage in their best-of-three series. The lineup features Rain or Shine squaring off against Converge at 5 p.m., followed by a matchup between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco at 7:30 p.m.
Continuing their remarkable journey, the Hotshots will face the Batang Pier in their fifth consecutive do-or-die game this Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Meanwhile, second-seed TNT eyes their first of two opportunities to secure a semifinal berth against seventh-seed Eastern in the other Thursday showdown.
Ricardo Ratliffe and his teammates orchestrated a stunning turnaround, winning four straight games after starting the tournament with a 3-6 record—a testament to their resilience.
Ratliffe epitomized the Hotshots’ relentless spirit, delivering an impressive 32 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the decisive win.
Supporting him, Zav Lucero, Ian Sangalang, Rome dela Rosa, and Mark Barroca each contributed with double-digit scoring, solidifying the Hotshots’ legacy by extending their franchise streak to an impressive 19 consecutive playoff appearances.
Lucero, Sangalang, dela Rosa, and Barroca each chipped in with at least 11 points, bolstering their import’s standout performance, which also saw him excel defensively by limiting NLEX’s Mike Watkins to just 10 points in this crucial matchup.
On the other side of the court, Robert Bolick led the charge for NLEX, scoring 27 points as they attempted to rally from a similar 3-6 deficit but ultimately fell short.
