NorthPort’s resolve as the no. 1 seed will be put to test against a seasoned Magnolia team in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
The competition in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup has reached fever pitch, with the quarterfinals finally rolling on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
[RELATED STORY: PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoff preview: Youthful Converge, Rain or Shine test each other’s mettle]
In this article, One Sports focuses on the duel between top-seed NorthPort and no. 8 Magnolia.
The Batang Pier hold a twice-to-beat incentive.
How they got to the playoffs
NorthPort (9-3)
NorthPort has been nothing short of amazing in the entire elimination round.
The Batang Pier have been so excellent, they zoomed to the top seed for the first time in franchise history.
Fueled by a strong start, NorthPort already reached seven wins after eight matches, enough to clinch an initial playoff spot. The Batang Pier nailed the no. 1 seed and the twice-to-beat advantage after Ginebra beat Meralco, 91-87 last Jan. 29.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Arvin Tolentino, NorthPort holiday sacrifice pay off in monumental win vs Ginebra]
Magnolia 6-6
After import Ricardo Ratliffe suffered an injury two games into the conference, misery followed the Hotshots.
But as Ratliffe recovered, Magnolia also got better and won its last three games against Phoenix (110-103), Eastern (107-78), and Meralco (129-92).
That gave the Hotshots a chance to battle for the final playoff berth against NLEX, a game which they won handily, 112-81 behind Ratliffe’s 32 points.
[ALSO READ: Magnolia import Ratliffe tames NLEX's Watkins: 'You've just got to stay locked in’]
NorthPort and Magnolia’s previous matchup
Magnolia gave NorthPort a tough time before the latter emerged with a nail-biting 107-103 win last Dec. 4.
It was NorthPort’s third straight win, then proceeded to win two more for a scintillating start to the mid-season competition.
That game saw Kadeem Jack churn out 30 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks against the Magnolia import he sees as an inspiration.
[ALSO READ: NorthPort import Kadeem Jack sees Magnolia counterpart Ricardo Ratliffe as inspiration]
Ratliffe was limited to just 10 points and 13 rebounds. Turned out, the hulking reinforcement was already nursing an injury then.
[ALSO READ: Ricardo Ratliffe thankful for Magnolia's belief despite rough start: 'They stuck with me’]
With Ratliffe slowly easing into top form, it will be thrilling to see the two import have a go at it again, this time in this quarterfinal tussle.