MANILA – Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots turned things around in the second half to defeat NLEX Road Warriors, 112-91, in a knockout game for the eighth quarterfinals seat in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Ricardo Ratliffe finished with a double-double of 32 points and 14 rebounds to go with three assists and two blocks as the Hotshots completed the quarterfinals casts with the win.
Zavier Lucero added 14 markers, Ian Sangalang and Rome dela Rosa contributed 13 markers apiece, and Andy Mark Barroca chipped in 11 markers and six assists for the Hotshots.
From a 44-all score at the half, the Hotshots started to pull away in the third period behind conversions from Ratliffe, Lucero, Barroca, and Calvin Abueva to establish an 80-67 lead.
The Hotshots continued their rampage in the fourth quarter courtesy of inside baskets from Ratliffe and Sangalang as the lead reached its largest at 31 points at 112-81 on a layup by Jerrick Balanza.
“I told them at halftime that we should start dominating on defense, because we are too tentative in the first half, I just told them that we should stick to our strength which is defense,” said Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero after the game.
“We want them (Road Warriors) to have a hard time executing their offense, credit to all our players for tightening their defense on (Road Warriors star guard Robert) Bolick,” he added.
Bolick top-scored for the Road Warriors with 27 points, Javee Mocon and Kevin Alas added 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Michael Watkins and Xyrus Torres added 10 apiece in the defeat.
The Hotshots will now have a twice-to-win disadvantage over top-seed NorthPort Batang Pier in the quarterfinals round./PN
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 112 – Ratliffe 32, Lucero 14, Dela Rosa 13, Sangalang 13, Barroca 11, Abueva 8, Dionisio 8, Lastimosa 5, Lee 4, Balanza 4, Alfaro 0, Laput 0, Eriobu 0.
NLEX 81 – Bolick 27, Mocon 13, Alas 12, Watkins 10, Torres 10, Semerad 5, Nieto 2, Policarpio 2, Ramirez 0, Rodger 0, Herndon 0.
Quarterscores: 21-21, 44-44, 80-67, 112-81.
