Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe in action against Meralco, January 31, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. PBA Images

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Magnolia has secured a playoff for the eighth spot by overpowering an Akil Mitchell-less Meralco, 129-92, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Friday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Meralco, already assured of a top five finish, saw its reinforcement Mitchell rest as the quarterfinals loom.

The Hotshots will battle either NLEX or Rain or Shine, depending on the results of the ROS-TNT match later in the day.

READ: PBA: Magnolia stuns Eastern in dominant fashion to keep q’finals hopes alive

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They have qualified to the playoffs since the 2016-17 Philippine Cup, and they intend to continue that streak this tourney.

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.

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.

"[I'm] very proud, thankful. Na-appreciate ko lahat ng effort ng players ko. Talagang tinatrabaho lahat nila sa practice," said coach Chito Victolero during the postgame press conference.

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.

Mainstays Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang added 18 points each, while Calvin Abueva also had 14 markers.

Raymond Almazan bannered the all-Pinoy Meralco side with 23 points and a block, with CJ Cansino also contributing 11 points.

The Scores:

MAGNOLIA 129 – 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

MERALCO 92 – 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

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