Ricardo Ratliff of the Magnolia Hotshots will take on Mike Watkins of the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA images
Magnolia put things together in the most important period of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Friday night, narrowly escaping the NLEX with a 99-95 lead in overtime.
Xavier Lucero hit a timely shot in a tight spot, and veterans Mark Barocca, Calvin Abueva, and import Ricardo Ratliff turned their guns on their opponent’s top guns for a four-game losing streak in which they were losing by an average of 4.3 points. Saved the Hotshots from the doldrums.
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Read: PBA: Rain or shine, lead blown, rebounds ahead of Magnolia
“I think one more loss and we’re closer to the exit. So we needed a sense of urgency to play better and get to the next level, and I think that’s what we did tonight.” I also want to thank my players,” coach Tito Victorello said as his team improved to 2-4 in the race.
Ratliff was the top scorer with 38 points and 19 rebounds, Lucero had 14 points and 5 rebounds, and the NLEX pullaway built on Robert Borick Jr.’s five-point play in overtime with a basket in the second half. was crushed.
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Bolick had 28 points, five rebounds and nine assists, and Robbie Herndon and import Mike Watkins each added at least 17 points. Kevin Alas, who took the game to overtime, finished with 11 points. The Road Warriors, who were early leaders in this showcase, fell to 3-4.
Read: PBA: Magnolia beats Blackwater as Ricardo Ratliff returns
Barocca collided with Abueva in the closing stages of the match, which ended in tragedy as he clutched his right rib and winced in pain. After a few minutes, I was able to walk to the locker room.
Magnolia is scheduled to play against Barangay Ginebra on Christmas, while NLEX will take a long break until January 10 against Meralco.
Score (OT):
Magnolia 99 – Ratliff 38, Lucero 14, Lastimosa 13, Barocca 12, Barranza 6, Abueva 6, Mendoza 3, Dionisio 3, Delarosa 2, Sangalan 2, Laput 0, Ahammisi 0
NLEX 95 – Bolick 28, Herndon 18, Watkins 17, Aras 11, Torres 8, Mocon 6, Semerado 5, Policarpio 2, Nieto 0, Roger 0, Marcelo 0, Valdez 0
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Quarter scores: 21-22, 38-45, 64-63, 87-87, 99-95.
