Magnolia Hotshots import Ricardo Ratliffe (right) against NLEX Road Warriors forward Brandon Ramirez during their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup do-or-die clash. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — The Magnolia Hotshots avoided elimination and are heading into the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

The Chito Victolero-coached posted its fourth straight victory after dominating the NLEX Road Warriors, 112-81, during their do-or-die Sunday faceoff at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Rizal.

This win secured Magnolia the eighth and final slot in the quarterfinals, and they will now be going up against the twice-to-beat, No.1 seed NorthPort Batang Pier.

Ricardo Ratliffe paced the Hotshots to catch the last playoff bus, putting up a 31-point, 14-rebound game on top of two blocks and two assists, and this was enough for them to fend off an NLEX squad that is coming off a three-game winning streak.

“I told them at halftime: ‘Let’s start to dominate them on defense,’” said Victolero after the game. “That was the message at halftime, and we were so tentative. I just told them to stick to our strength, our defense, and we wanted to give them a hard time on offense.”

“All of our frustrations that we have in the past, it boils down to this game. We embraced the challenge, the struggles, and lumabas lahat sa game na ‘to,” he added.

Tied at 44 at the conclusion of the first 24 minutes of action, Victolero’s troops came alive in the third period and went on to turn an all-50 deadlock into a 61-50 cushion following an 11-to-nothing run which was capped off by a Rome Dela Rosa trey in the same frame’s 5:13 mark.

Kevin Alas brought some life back into the Road Warriors as his efforts helped them to stay within five, 67-62, with still 2:31 left in the third, but Mark Barroca orchestrated three baskets, two of which came from Ratliffe and the other from Zav Lucero, to re-extend their lead to 10, 74-64, before they entered the fourth.

Unfortunately for NLEX, this momentum extended into the last period as the Hotshots continued their onslaught, and they even managed to build a 112-81 cushion late in the fourth after back-to-back hits by Jerrick Balanza.

Also standing out for Magnolia were Lucero (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists), and Ian Sangalang and Dela Rosa who each scored 13 markers.

On the other hand, Robert Bolick tallied 20 points, six assists, and two boards, but these went for naught as the Road Warriors failed to take advantage of their impressive end to the elimination round.

Meanwhile, Coach Chito is optimistic about facing the Batang Pier despite having a twice-to-win disadvantage in the quarters

“We have three days to prepare. We are the underdogs, do-or-die situation again, but I like our chances,” said Victolero. “Hopefully, we can battle the No.1 team and give them a good fight.”

“We’re all healthy, we’re playing well, so I like our chances,” he added.

The Scores:

Magnolia 112 – Ratliffe 32, Lucero 14, Dela Rosa 13, Sangalang 13, Barroca 11, Abueva 8, Dionisio 8, Lastimosa 5, Lee 4, Balanza 4, Alfaro 0, Laput 0, Eriobu 0.

NLEX 81 – Bolick 27, Mocon 13, Alas 12, Watkins 10, Torres 10, Semerad 5, Nieto 2, Policarpio 2, Ramirez 0, Rodger 0, Herndon 0.

Quarterscores: 21-21, 44-44, 80-67, 112-81.