Magnolia routs Meralco, secures playoff for QF spot

Magnolia stayed in the hunt for a quarterfinals spot after taking down Meralco, 129-92, Friday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Philsports Arena.

The Hotshots finished the elimination round with a 6-6 record, while the all-Filipino Meralco squad slipped to 7-5. With the win, Magnolia has secured a playoff for a spot in the top eight.

The Hotshots led by 16, 35-19, late in the first period before unleashing a 38-point second quarter explosion to take a 73-47 lead at the end of the first half as it limited the Bolts to 19.

In the second half, Magnolia continued to pound on the Bolts who were playing without Akil Mitchell who is suffering from back issues. Magnolia reached the century mark by the end of the third period after an Ian Sangalang basket. It was all Magnolia then as it led by 35, 125-90, with around three minutes remaining in the fourth period before cruising onto the victory. 

"Very proud, thankful. Na-appreciate ko lahat ng efforts ng players ko kasi pinagtatrabahuhan talaga nila sa practice," Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said.

Ricardo Ratliffe had 31 points, 19 rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Zav Lucero had 22 points as he sank all his four triples and went perfect in six attempts from the charity stripe.

Raymond Almazan had 23 points, while CJ Cansino added 11 for the Bolts.

Magnolia will now wait for the result of the upcoming game between TNT and Rain or Shine to determine its opponent in the playoffs on Sunday. If Rain or Shine wins, Magnolia will play NLEX on Sunday. A Rain or Shine loss, however, will put the Elasto Painters against the Hotshots.

Scores:

Magnolia 129 – Ratliffe 31, Lucero 22, Sangalang 18, Barroca 18, Abueva 14, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Lastimosa 6, Alfaro 2, Dela Rosa 2, Laput 2, Eriobu 0, Balanza 0.

Meralco 92 – Almazan23, Cansino 11, Black 9, Bates 8, Quinto 7, Banchero 6, Reyson 5, Torres 5, Rios 5, Mendoza 4, Caram 4, Pasaol 3, Newsome 2, Hodge 0.

Quarters: 35-28, 73-47, 101-75, 129-92.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News