By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rafi Reavis, already 47, had a crucial tap for a Magnolia offensive rebound and then hauled down two more for himself to waste precious minutes late.
The Hotshots did not score in those extra possessions but that exactly typified how much they wanted the win – and the twice-to-beat advantage that comes with it.
Magnolia outhustled TNT to hack out a pulsating 88-83 victory to assure itself a Top 4 finish in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, June 13.
The Hotshots pulled away in the second half after unloading a back-breaking 16-0 run bridging the final two quarters to establish a double-digit advantage that proved to be enough to weather a late fightback from the Tropang Giga.
Magnolia, in dire need of a victory, not only to halt a two-game losing skid but also to avoid complications for its twice-to-beat bid, buckled down on the defensive end to fuel the second half rally that turned the table on a once 63-66 deficit late in the third.
When the dust settled, the Hotshots already established a 79-66 lead although they still had to face some anxious moments late before Magnolia finally put the game away behind the poise displayed by the team led by Reavis.
Zavier Lucero led the way with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists while William Navarro added 13 points and Mark Barroca added 12. Reavis, meanwhile, provided quality minutes with four points and six rebounds – four of which came at the offensive end.
With the win, Magnolia closed out the elims with an 8-3 record, becoming the second team to secure the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
For the part of TNT, the loss denied it a shot at the quarterfinals bonus and instead put its grand slam bid hanging in the balance after being relegated to the bottom four of the playoffs which will need to win twice to reach the semifinals.
RR Pogoy led the Tropang 5G with 18 while Calvin Oftana chipped in 15.
Meanwhile, Jason Perkins and Ken Tuffin exploded with career-high performances to power Phoenix to a 124-109 victory over the Blackwater Bossing and put a winning end to their PBA Season 49 campaign.
Perkins and Tuffin combined for more than half of the Fuel Masters points with the former pouring a career-best 39 points while the latter matched it up with his own best with 29.
Phoenix went off to a hot start in the contest and led by double-figures at the end of the opening frame before doing just enough to keep the rallying Blackwater at bay in the fourth quarter.
Tuffin added 14 rebounds while Tyler Tio had 14 points and nine assists and Kai Ballungay chipped in 14 points and 14 rebounds.
The Fuel Masters actually closed out the all-Filipino conference on a two-game win streak after also taking down the NorthPort Batang Pier in their last game.
Phoenix ended the season with a 4-7 record at the ninth spot
