Hotshots cream Eastern in first match for survival as Victolero declares high hopes for next hurdle with team now healthy

Chito Victolero

Survival was the word coach Chito Victolero used after Magnolia put up a huge effort in blowing past guest team Hong Kong Eastern to stay alive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal race.

But after the 107-78 romp on Sunday here at Ynares Center in Antipolo City, the Hotshots are bracing themselves for another challenge against the Meralco Bolts, who pose as the next obstacle in Magnolia’s desperate drive to advance past the elimination phase of the midseason tournament.

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“We talked about having the confidence to go to war, to go to battle with these guys, especially with the complete lineup we have now,” Victolero said after Magnolia improved to 5-6 that put pressure on San Miguel Beer, NLEX and even Rain or Shine in the chase for the last two playoff spots.

NLEX ripped Rain or Shine, 122-110, the other night as the Road Warriors are now at 5-6 and had the ElastoPainters falling to 6-5, while San Miguel was aiming to end the elims at 6-6 at press time against TNT.

Magnolia plays Meralco on Friday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City to close the eliminations in what Victolero expects as a gargantuan struggle, especially with both teams being among the elite defensive squads in the league.

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Win-only option

A loss against the Bolts will send the Hotshots to an early vacation, even if there’s the possibility of a three-way tie for eighth at 5-7 with the Beermen and Road Warriors. The Hotshots have the inferior quotient in the event the three end up with identical records.

But Victolero sees something positive coming out of the Meralco clash, especially after strong performances from import Ricardo Ratliffe and rookie Jerom Lastimosa.

Ratliffe seems to have shown no signs of a shoulder injury that bothered him at the start of the conference and put up 25 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists, while Lastimosa scored 20 points while dazzling the crowd with his long bombs and a reverse layup in the second half.

Paul Lee came back from a meniscus injury and played 12 minutes, but the additional depth is another welcome development for the Hotshots, who are out to avoid their first playoff absence since Victolero took charge in the 2016-17 season.

“I’m very confident about our chances, because I think this is the first time [this conference] that we are all healthy,” said Victolero.

Eastern dropped to 7-4, which dampened its chances of securing a top two finish and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters.

The Hong Kong side, reeling from its semifinal exit back home in the A1 Division Championship a few days prior, tries to put up the best finish possible on Wednesday against NLEX at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Chris McLaughlin played after hurting his ankle against Terrafirma in Eastern’s last PBA match and had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. INQ