In the post-game presser, Chito Victolero was joined by Ricardo Ratliffe, who said that Magnolia employed a 'playoff mindset'
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero could finally heave a sigh of relief.
This as the Hotshots finally arrested a four-game skid after frustrating NLEX in overtime, 99-95, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, Dec. 20.
Magnolia upped its mark to 2-4.
“Yes (Nakahinga na),” said Victolero following the match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
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“There's pressure, but it’s up to us how to handle the pressure.”
With the Hotshots' backs against the wall, Ricardo Ratliffe said they are on playoff mode early in the conference.
Ratliffe did look like he was desperate to chalk up a win for Magnolia after last tasting it in their opening assignment against Converge as he put up 38 points and 19 rebounds in almost 47 minutes of play.
“We don’t really have a choice. We got to have a playoff mindset, a win or go home mindset,” said the hefty reinforcement.
The rest of the Hotshots felt the same.
Zavier Lucero finished with 14 points, including four points in the extra time. Jerom Lastimosa scored 13 while Mark Barroca produced 12 points, six rebounds, eight assists and five steals.
“Hopefully, tonight, we can use this momentum and get a winning streak going,” said Ratliffe.
Meanwhile, Robert Bolick paced the Road Warriors with 28 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals.
With 55.5 ticks left to play, he recorded the first five-point play in a regular game and gave NLEX a 94-95 edge.
But Barroca responded with a bank shot and Lastimosa and Ratliffe sealed the win with shots from the stripe.
Robbie Herndon had 18 points, while Mike Watkins churned out 17 markers and 23 boards. The reinforcement also had an assist, a steal, and four blocks for the Road Warriors, who dropped to 3-4.