Calvin Abueva of Magnolia defies two NLEX defenders. PBA photo
Magnolia back in the groove
RICARDO Ratliffe produced monster numbers and Magnolia Chicken Timplados ended a four-game losing skid with a 99-95 overtime win over the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Ratliffe delivered 38 points and 19 rebounds in his biggest game in the conference thus far as the Hotshots improved their record to 2-4 and earned a big boost going into their much-awaited Manila Clasico battle against Barangay Ginebra on Christmas Day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Zav Lucero contributed 14 points, including a pair of crucial back-to-back layups that gave the Hotshots a 94-90 lead, before Robert Bolick’s pivotal five-point play shifted momentum.
Bolick led NLEX with 28 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and two steals, but these were not enough to halt their own skid, which extended to three straight losses and dropped their record to 3-4.
Mike Watkins tallied a double-double performance with 17 points, 23 rebounds, and four blocks.
Bolick, who completed a five-point play during the PBA All-Star Game, made history as the first player to achieve the feat in a regular season game. His clutch play put the Road Warriors ahead, 95-94, with 55.5 seconds remaining.
Mark Barroca responded with a tough fallaway jumper with 38.8 seconds left, reclaiming the lead for the Hotshots, 96-95.
That shot proved to be the game-winner, as Magnolia sealed the victory with clutch free throws in the final moments.
Bolick had one last chance to save NLEX, but his hurried half-court attempt hit the front rim. Robbie Herndon’s desperation putback from four-point range also missed as time expired.
The 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.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 38-45, 64-63, 87-87, 99-95.
