For the first time in nearly a month, Magnolia finally returned to the win column after outlasting NLEX in overtime, 99-95, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday at the PhilSports Arena.
The Hotshots, whose last win was still last November 28 against Blackwater, snapped its four-game losing streak to improve to 2-4 while the Road Warriors endured their third defeat in a row to drop to 3-4.
Magnolia needed an extra period and a huge double-double showing from import Ricardo Ratliffe to regain its winning ways.
Ratliffe exploded for 38 points and 19 rebounds alongside one assist while Zav Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa led the local support with 14 and 13 markers apiece.
“It’s a character game for us. We’re down at this stage of the tournament but we’re not out and I told them that it’s still in our control,” Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said.
“This team experienced it before, I know the character of the players and hopefully this is the start of our run and ‘yun lang, thankful kasi this is the first time that we limited out opponents under 100 points.”
Lucero came alive in the final seconds of the regulation, sinking back-to-back baskets off dishes from his seniors Calvin Abueva and Mark Barroca to give the Hotshots an 87-85 lead with 27 seconds left.
However, an Abueva foul led to Kevin Alas burying two free throws to tie things up.
Magnolia then had 10 seconds to manufacture a potential game-winning basket but Barroca went wide on his long jumper over the defense of Michael Griffin-Watkins as they headed into overtime.
Lucero made sure to finish the job this time around, pouring four points in the extra period while rookie Lastimosa posted three of his own as Magnolia bagged the win before facing longtime rival Barangay Ginebra on Christmas Day.
Robert Bolick starred for the Road Warriors with 28 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and two steals while Robert Herndon and Griffin-Watkins each had 18 and 17 markers in another losing effort for the franchise.
Prior to this, NLEX had endured losses to Barangay Ginebra and Converge after an impressive 3-1 start to its campaign.
Scores:
Magnolia 99 – Ratliffe 38, Lucero 14, Lastimosa 13, Barroca 12, Balanza 6, Abueva 6, Mendoza 3, Dionisio 3, Dela Rosa 2, Sangalang 2, Laput 0, Ahanmisi 0.
NLEX 95 – Bolick 28, Herndon 18, Watkins 17, Alas 11, Torres 8, Mocon 6, Semerad 5, Policarpio 2, Nieto 0, Rodger 0, Marcelo 0, Valdez 0.
Quarters: 21-22, 38-45, 64-63, 87-87, 99-95.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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