By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados kept their playoff hopes alive after crushing guest team Hong Kong Eastern, 107-78, in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup on January 26, 2025, at the Ynares Center.
Reeling to rake their remaining game against the Meralco Bolts in order to keep their record for consecutive post-season appearances, the Chicken Timplados’ timely winning streak is just what they needed to regain their confidence back.
Following a close loss at the hands of the San Miguel Beermen two weeks ago, Magnolia’s poise under pressure was evident after they swept their games against the Phoenix Fuel Masters and Hong Kong to improve to 5-6.
From a shaky start to the season, Magnolia suddenly rediscovered their identity as a team that strives on the defensive end.
That mentality was on full display against Hong Kong, as the SMC-backed franchise limited them to a dismal 4/22 shooting from the three-point territory.
Known as a three-point reliant team, Hong Kong failed to gain some momentum after receiving handcuffs from the Magnolia defense.
“With our backs against the wall, we’re in a do-or-die situation, we go back to our strength, which is our defense,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero after the win.
Unfortunately, their free-throw shooting woes also prevented them from a comeback, as the guest franchise only converted 12 out of their 27 attempts from the charity stripe.
Magnolia’s returning reinforcement, Ricardo Ratliffe, was unstoppable against Hong Kong and top-scored his team with 25 big points in limited minutes due to the blowout.
The former Korean National Basketball Team naturalized player already fired 16 markers in the first half and ended the game with 16 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.
Backstopping the veteran import was the fountain of youth of the Chicken Timplados, the duo of Jerom Lastimosa and Zavier Lucero, who each chipped in 20 points.
Lastimosa and Lucero picked up where Ratliffe left off and shouldered most of the Magnolia scoring in the second half, specifically in the third where they torched Hong Kong with their inside and outside threat.
“The word is survival. We tried to approach this game with a sense of urgency, with a proper mindset,” added Victolero.
