Door stays open

MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia lived to fight another day in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup as it got the job done against import-less Meralco, 129-92, last night at the PhilSports Arena.

With a loss leading to outright elimination, the Hotshot played like literally there’s no tomorrow and pounded the quarterfinals-assured Bolts (7-5) in 48 full minutes en route to forcing a tie for eighth at 6-6.

As they hurdled a third straight do-or-die game to end the preliminaries, the resurgent troops of coach Chito Victolero set a rubbermatch for the No. 8 seeding versus NLEX (6-6) tomorrow for the right to face No. 1 and twice-to-beat NorthPort (9-3) in the next round.

Later, Rain or Shine cleared its path to the quarters and took the No. 6 spot at 7-5 via a 106-96 drubbing of TNT (8-4).

Despite the loss, the Tropang Giga secured second seed and will enjoy a win-once advantage against seventh-ranked Eastern (7-5).

The Elasto Painters, who could have fallen to a sudden death against Magnolia had they lost to TNT, set a best-of-three duel with No. 3 Converge (8-4) in the Last-8 instead.

The Bolts wound up at fifth and will face No. 4 Barangay Ginebra (8-4) in a race-to-two dispute.

“We’re grateful to be given a chance na makapaglaro for No. 8 and gina-grab lang namin ang opportunity,” said Victolero, whose crew started their rise from 3-6 with lifesaving victories over Phoenix (110-104) and Eastern (107-78) before beating Meralco.