It wasn’t pretty but Magnolia gladly took this one.
MANILA, Philippines — Overcoming another sloppy finish amid Terrafirma’s serious upset bid, the Hotshots extracted a much-needed 89-84 victory at the resumption of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The grindout W put the Hotshots back on track after infamously squandering a 22-point lead and conceding a deflating 92-95 Christmas Day defeat to “Clasico” rival Barangay Ginebra.
Now at 3-5, Magnolia hopes to use this momentum-builder as it tries to prop up its playoffs bid.
“I don’t think we need any more fuel,” athletic forward Zav Lucero, the game’s Best Player winner, said of the Hotshots’ state of mind.
“Everyone’s seen how our games have turned out. Christmas is Christmas but we’ve lost tough ones. So it’s kind of we got to win games; no more fuel than that. Either we win or we go home pretty much.”
Lucero, who finished with 17 points to back up import Ricardo Ratliffe’s 32 markers and 14 rebounds, played a significant role in helping Magnolia hurdle Terrafirma in a tight fight to the finish.
The former University of the Philippines star knocked down four clutch free throws and set up Aris Dionisio for a booming triple in a 12-6 salvo that gave Magnolia an 87-81 cushion with 1:56 left.
The Hotshots gave the Dyip (0-9) the boot in the mid-season conference even as they extended their win streak over the latter to a 20th game dating back to 2016.
“It’s another grinding game for us. Ganyan na ang tema ng games namin, close games. But this time we closed it out,” said coach Chito Victolero.
Magnolia pulled through despite the absence of Paul Lee due to a meniscus injury.
Stanley Pringle rifled in 22 to show the way for the Dyip who fielded Terrence Romeo for the first time since acquiring him from San Miguel Beer. Romeo had three markers and two assists.
Later, Akil Mitchell, with 24-12-6, served as the anchor as Meralco regained its winning ways at the expense of NLEX, 105-91. The Bolts moved up to 5-3 while the Road Warriors skidded to a fourth straight loss for 3-5.