Nelson Morales

PBA: Magnolia secures playoff for eighth spot by demolishing Meralco

Article (news)

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1738320003440PBA Images4 (2).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil" alt="Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe in action against Meralco, January 31, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. PBA Images"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe in action against Meralco, January 31, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. <em>PBA Images</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA, Philippines<strong> (UPDATED)</strong> – Magnolia has secured a playoff for the eighth spot by overpowering an Akil Mitchell-less Meralco, 129-92, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner&#x27;s Cup on Friday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.</p><p>Meralco, already assured of a top five finish, saw its reinforcement Mitchell rest as the quarterfinals loom.</p><p>The Hotshots will battle either NLEX or Rain or Shine, depending on the results of the ROS-TNT match later in the day.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/1/26/pba-magnolia-stuns-eastern-in-dominant-fashion-to-keep-qfinals-hopes-alive-1948"><strong>READ: PBA: Magnolia stuns Eastern in dominant fashion to keep q’finals hopes alive<br/></strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/1/29/pba-nlex-dumps-eastern-secures-playoff-for-qfinals-spot-1944"><strong>READ: PBA: NLEX dumps Eastern to secure playoff for 8th spot, ousts SMB from contention</strong></a></div><p>They have qualified to the playoffs since the 2016-17 Philippine Cup, and they intend to continue that streak this tourney.</p><p>Import Ricardo Ratliffe played spectacularly early in the ballgame, leading the Hotshots with a 15-point explosion in the opener for a 35-28 cushion — almost half of their output already.</p><p>They coupled those efforts in the next frame, entering the break with a 73-47 separation — a lead the Bolts could not come back from.</p><p>&quot;[I&#x27;m] very proud, thankful. Na-appreciate ko lahat ng effort ng players ko. Talagang tinatrabaho lahat nila sa practice,&quot; said coach Chito Victolero during the postgame press conference.</p><p>When the dust settled, Ratliffe totaled 31 for the Magnolia firepower and collected a whopping 19 rebounds, while Zav Lucero delivered 22 points, three boards, and three dimes.</p><p>Mainstays Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang added 18 points each, while Calvin Abueva also had 14 markers.</p><p>Raymond Almazan bannered the all-Pinoy Meralco side with 23 points and a block, with CJ Cansino also contributing 11 points.</p><div><strong>The Scores:</strong></div><p><strong>MAGNOLIA 129</strong> – Ratliffe 31, Lucero 22, Sangalang 18, Barroca 18, Abueva 14, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Lastimosa 6, Alfaro 2, Dela Rosa 2, Laput 2, Eriobu 0, Balanza 0</p><p><strong>MERALCO 92</strong> – Almazan23, Cansino 11, Black 9, Bates 8, Quinto 7, Banchero 6, Reyson 5, Torres 5, Rios 5, Mendoza 4, Caram 4, Pasaol 3, Newsome 2, Hodge 0QUARTERS: 35-28, 73-47, 101-75, 129-92</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uFNinSh1HFA??si=aKtqjdcsS2kpwHhq&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABTwAK4X93KxdR5W&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script>