Magnolia Hotshots import Ricardo Ratliffe against NLEX Road Warriors’ import Mike Watkins in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES

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Magnolia kept it together in the most crucial of times on Friday night to escape NLEX by the skin of its teeth in overtime, 99-95, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Zavier Lucero hit some timely shots in the crunch as veterans Mark Barroca, Calvin Abueva and import Ricardo Ratliffe muzzled the enemy’s top guns to help the Hotshots out of a four-game slide where they only lost by an average of 4.3 points.

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“With one more loss, I think we’ll be nearer to the exit. So we needed a sense of urgency to play better, to get to the next level, and I think that’s what we did tonight. And I’m thankful to the players,” said coach Chito Victolero as his crew improved to 2-4 in the race.

Ratliffe topscored with 38 points and 19 rebounds, while Lucero 14 and five, his late baskets dousing the NLEX pull-away built on a Robert Bolick Jr. five-point play in the extra period.

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Bolick had 28 points, five rebounds, and nine assists, while Robbie Herndon and import Mike Watkins added at least 17 each into the scoring effort. Kevin Alas, who sent the game to overtime, finished with 11. The Road Warriors, early leaders of the showcase, thus fell to 3-4.

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READ: PBA: Magnolia routs Blackwater in Ricardo Ratliffe’s return

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Barroca saw himself in a nasty end of a collision with Abueva in the final moments of the game, wincing in pain as he clutched his right rib. He was able to walk to the locker room after a few minutes.

Magnolia is set to figure in a Christmas Day clash against Barangay Ginebra while NLEX goes on a long break before playing Meralco on Jan. 10.

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The Scores (OT):

MAGNOLIA 99 – Ratliffe 38, Lucero 14, Lastimosa 13, Barroca 12, Balanza 6, Abueva 6, Mendoza 3, Dionisio 3, Dela Rosa 2, Sangalang 2, Laput 0, Ahanmisi 0

NLEX 95 – Bolick 28, Herndon 18, Watkins 17, Alas 11, Torres 8, Mocon 6, Semerad 5, Policarpio 2, Nieto 0, Rodger 0, Marcelo 0, Valdez 0

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Quarterscores: 21-22, 38-45havefun888, 64-63, 87-87, 99-95.

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