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Magnolia Hotshots continue their mastery over the Terrafirma Dyip
The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots survived the grit of the Terrafirma Dyip to carve out an 89-84 victory in their battle last night, January 10, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Magnolia improved their record to 3-5 and still held on to their chance of making it to the playoffs of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
The win also gave the Hotshots their 20th straight triumph against the Terrafirma, which fell down to 0-9 in the conference and officially put them out of contention in the next round.
Phot Courtesy: PBA
"This time we closed the game, we were disciplined down the stretch. We found the right guy in the last few seconds of the game. Credit to the players because there is pressure but they are always there to execute on both ends of the floor," the one-time champion coach concluded.
Ricardo Ratliffe was instrumental to their win as he delivered crucial baskets in the end and finished with a game-high 32 points, to go along with 14 rebounds.
Zavier Lucero was named Best Player of the Game after contributing 17 points on 12-of-12 shooting from the free-throw line.
Ian Sangalang and Jerom Lastimosa put up 13 and 11 markers, respectively, to help the Hotshots get the important win.
Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero praised his players as they survived the obstacle that the Dyip laid down.
"I think they (Dyip) played well. For the last three games they've been playing well. I told the players it's a matter of who wants it more because their backs are also against the wall, do-or-die situation also for Terrafirma," said Victolero.
"It was another grinding game for us. Siguro iyan na tema ng mga games namin, always close," added Victolero, whose team lost their previous games by an average of three points.
"This time we closed the game, we were disciplined down the stretch. We found the right guy in the last few seconds of the game. Credit to the players because there is pressure but they are always there to execute on both ends of the floor," the one-time champion coach concluded.
On the other hand, Stanley Pringle paced Terrafirma with 22 points. He also shared the court once again with his former Globalport teammate Terrence Romeo, who debuted as a Dyip last night and scored three points.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 89 - Ratliffe 32, Lucero 17, Sangalang 13, Lastimosa 11, Dionisio 8, Barroca 4, Alfaro 2, Ahanmisi 2, Balanza 0, Abueva 0, Laput 0, Dela Rosa 0, Mendoza 0.
TERRAFIRMA 84 - Pringle 22, Edwards 14, Ferrer 11, Nonoy 8, Paraiso 7, Manuel 6, Catapusan 5, Romeo 3, Carino 2, Hernandez 0, Melecio 0, Ramos 0.
Quarter Scores: 28-25, 41-40, 68-66, 89-84.
