Zav Lucero of Magnolia makes a shot. PBA photo
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DON’T count Magnolia out yet.
With its back against the wall for the second straight time, Magnolia outclassed Meralco, 129-92, to keep its playoff hopes alive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Ricardo Ratliffe provided the spark for the Hotshots with 31 points on 13-of-15 shooting from the floor, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals in 40 minutes of action.
Zav Lucero added 22 points including a 4-of-4 from beyond the arc, three rebounds and three assists while Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca contributed 18 points each.
Calvin Abueva chipped in 14 points and four rebounds in Magnolia’s much-needed victory.
With the win, the Hotshots finished their eliminatuion round schedule with an even 6-6 win-loss record in a tie with NLEX for the eighth and last spot.
The two teams would face off in a knockout game to determine the eighth and last quarterfinalist.
The Bolts played without import Akil Mitchell for the second straight game.
Raymond Almazan topscored with 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting for the Bolts, who are already assured of the no.5 spot despite finishing with a 7-5 slate.
CJ Cansino added 11 points, followed by Aaron Blackwith nine points and three rebounds, Bradon Bates with eight points and Bong Quinto with seven points.
Chris Banchero had six points and eight assists.
The 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
Quarterscores: 35-28, 73-47, 101-75, 129-92.
