Do or die for Hotshots

Magnolia is in a must-win situation against Meralco at the PhilSports Arena tonight to stay alive for a shot at a playoff spot. But even if the Chicken Timplados Hotshots survive the Bolts, they’ll be in another do-or-die situation against NLEX or Rain or Shine on Sunday. And if they still keep head above water, next is a quarterfinals showdown with a twice-to-win disadvantage against TNT. So to make it to the semifinals, coach Chito Victolero has a lot of hurdles to overcome. It’s a challenging route but for as long as there’s hope, Magnolia isn’t giving up.

The last conference where Magnolia failed to qualify for the playoffs was the Governors’ Cup in 2015-16 or over eight years ago. That was when Marqus Blakely led the squad to a 1-3 start then replacement Joel Wright sealed the funeral with a 1-6 finish. Magnolia hasn’t missed the playoffs in the last 17 conferences, advancing to five finals and winning one championship.

Entering the Meralco game tonight, Magnolia has a 5-6 record with an average losing margin of only 3.5 points, meaning the setbacks could’ve gone the other way. The Hotshots lost to Converge and Rain or Shine by two, TNT and Ginebra by three, NorthPort by four and San Miguel Beer by seven. Last Sunday, Magnolia displayed its full potential in blowing out playoff contender Eastern by 29 points.

Victolero is pinning his hopes on import Ricardo Ratliffe who’s been rock-solid at the five position. Finding the right combination to win consistently, however, has been difficult particularly in down-to-the-wire contests. Victolero has started 12 players with even Peter Alfaro and Jerrick Balanza getting a call. His ultra-reliable sixth man Mark Barroca has been elevated to start with Paul Lee hobbled by a meniscus injury. Zavier Lucero now comes off the bench for Magnolia.

Win or lose against Magnolia, Meralco will hold on to No. 5. It’s no-bearing for the Bolts but extremely crucial for Magnolia. Meralco opted to sit out Akil Mitchell in losing a four-point decision to Ginebra last Sunday and will likely keep him in cold storage until the quarterfinals. If Magnolia wins, there will be a playoff for No. 8 on Sunday but a loss will mean a no-game day. Either way, Meralco will use the break to rest Mitchell some more before the quarterfinals begin on Tuesday or Wednesday. At No. 5, Meralco is on a collision course with No. 4 Ginebra and they’ll figure in a best-of-three quarterfinal duel.     

If Magnolia clinches a playoff for No. 8, it will go up against either Rain or Shine or NLEX.  If TNT beats Rain or Shine tonight, the Hotshots will engage the Elasto Painters on Sunday. That’s because in a three-way tie for No. 7, NLEX has the superior plus-minus at +8 while Magnolia is +2 and Rain or Shine -10. If Rain or Shine beats TNT, Magnolia and NLEX will battle for No. 8 with identical 6-6 records. In this case, the Elasto Painters move up to No. 6 in a three-way tie for No. 5 with Meralco and Eastern. For Magnolia, it’s first things first – beating Meralco is the only focus at the moment.