Magnolia defeated NLEX 112-81 in a knockout game on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, securing the final ticket to the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.

With 32 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks, Ricardo Ratliffe outperformed Mike Watkins, the Best Import statistical leader, as the Hotshots won their fourth consecutive game to secure the eighth-best seed in the quarterfinals.

Magnolia set up a quarterfinal matchup with No. 1 NorthPort, but it will be another do-or-die scenario where they must win twice to progress.

Magnolia has been playing well in games where their conference is at stake lately, and Sunday was no exception. To keep their conference alive, the Hotshots went on a crucial 11-0 run that changed a 50-50 tie into a landslide victory.

Watkins scored 41 points against Eastern only last Wednesday, but Magnolia held him to just 10 points on 3 of 13 field goals.

“Credit to the players, especially Ricardo. I told them at halftime to start dominating them on defense,” Magnolia coach Chito Victolero stated that his team defeated NLEX 68-37 in the second half and held the Road Warriors to 14 points in the last frame.
Ratliffe extended the Hotshots’ advantage to 79-64 late in the third quarter with back-to-back buckets in a 9-0 run.

Rome Dela Rosa and Ian Sangalang each scored 13 points, and Zavier Lucero finished with 14 points and six rebounds for the Hotshots, who overcame a lackluster start that saw them fall behind 11 points, 15–4.

For the Road Warriors, whose three-game winning streak ended with the conference-ending loss, Javee Mocon finished with 13 points and Robert Bolick finished with 27 points and six assists.

The Scores

Magnolia 112 – Ratliffe 32, Lucero 14, Sangalang 13, Dela Rosa 13, Barroca 11, Dionisio 8, Abueva 8, Lastimosa 5, Balanza 4, Lee 4, Alfaro 0, Laput 0, Eriobu 0.

NLEX 81 – Bolick 27, Mocon 13, Alas 12, Watkins 10, Torres 10, Semerad 5, Policarpio 2, Nieto 2, Ramirez 0, Rodger 0, Herndon 0.

Quarter scores: 21-21; 44-44; 80-67; 112-81.