Magnolia outlasts gritty Terrafirma, spoils Terrence Romeo’s debut
MANILA, Philippines – The Magnolia Hotshots bounced back from their heartbreaking Christmas Day loss to Barangay Ginebra with a narrow 89-84 win against the winless Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, January 10.
Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe flexed his muscles against Terrafirma’s smaller frontline as he produced a massive double-double of 32 points and 14 rebounds to carry the Hotshots to their third win in eight matches.
The Hotshots’ victory spoiled the much-awaited debut of Terrence Romeo in a Dyip uniform after he missed the first eight games of the conference following the blockbuster trade from San Miguel due to an injury.
Romeo, however, finished with only 3 points in over 13 minutes as Terrafirma dropped to a 0-9 card.
The Dyip kept it very close against the Hotshots the whole contest until the latter created an 85-78 separation with 2:51 left in the fourth off a jumper by Ratliffe.
With Magnolia still ahead by two possessions, Terrafirma import Brandon Edwards then hit a booming three-pointer to pull the Dyip within just three points, 84-87, with 1:10 to play.
Terrafirma had a chance to make it a one-point game with still 54 seconds remaining, but Stanley Pringle’s jumper failed to hit the target.
Ratliffe then sealed the win for Magnolia with a layup with 29 seconds to go as the Hotshots overcame a tough challenge by the Dyip.
Zavier Lucero supported Ratliffe with 17 points and 6 rebounds, while Ian Sangalang added 13 markers and 7 boards.
Pringle topscored for the Dyip with 22 points, while Edwards and Kevin Ferrer poured in 14 and 11 markers each.
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.
Quarters: 28-25, 41-40, 68-66, 89-84.
– Rappler.com