All news tagged MagnoliaHotshots

On Sunday, May 4, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Rizal, the TNT Tropang 5G finally found their groove after dropping their first three outings, while the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued to dominate the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, capturing their fifth straight victory.

TNT’s 89-84 upset over the San Miguel Beermen was less about precision and more about pride.

“We're a different team now,” admitted TNT head coach Chot Reyes, acknowledging the absence of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson—due to the All-Filipino format—and team leader Jayson Castro, who remains out with an injury. “We said, ‘Let’s write our own story.’ This win is just the first chapter.”

Calvin Oftana led the charge with 23 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, delivering both the numbers and the intangibles.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshot won their past four games to survive elimination and entered the playoffs for the 19th straight conference already.

Magnolia was on the brink of being ousted in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup when their record went down to 3-6, but they peaked at the right time and clinched a quarterfinals berth after dismantling the NLEX Road Warriors in their do-or-die game.

Now, the Hotshots are facing another tough challenge as they have a twice-to-win disadvantage against the league-leading NorthPort Batang Pier, who defeated them, 103-107, during their lone game in the preliminaries.

But Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero likes their chances against NP as they are now parading a healthy line-up.

"We're the underdog in this series. We're down in this series 0-1. So it's another do-or-die situation for us," said Victolero. "But I like our chances."

"We're playing well on both ends of the floor. And pinaka-gusto ko lang is we're all healthy. I think this is the only second or third game (against NLEX) where we are fully healthy, lahat ng mga players," the Hotshots coach added.

"Hopefully we can battle with the No. 1 team and give them a good fight," he ended.

Magnolia peaked at the right time to secure the last quarterfinals slot in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.

The Hotshots overpowered the NLEX Road Warriors, 112-81, behind Ricardo Ratliffe’s 32-point, 14-rebound performance, to get the No. 8 slot on Sunday night, February 2, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots dominated the import-less Meralco Bolts, 129-92, last night, January 31, at the Philsports Arena to force a do-or-die match on Sunday for the 8th and final spot of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.

Ricardo Ratliffe waxed hot in the opening half as he took advantage of the absence of Meralco’s reinforcement, Akil Mitchell, who sat out for the second straight game due to back spasm.

The hulking Magnolia import already produced 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field going into the break. He also grabbed nine boards, two assists, and one steal before halftime.

Ratliffe finished with 31 markers, 19 boards, four assists, and two steals, against two fouls and one turnover.