Magnolia def NLEX, 99-95 [PBA S49 Comm’s Cup | Dec. 20. 2024]

NLEX gears up for its final battle of the year, while Magnolia prepares for its last outing before the highly anticipated Christmas Day showdown against Barangay Ginebra.

Both teams are desperate to snap out of troubling slumps as the Road Warriors and the Hotshots clash in a pivotal PBA Commissioner’s Cup matchup this Friday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Currently, NLEX is precariously positioned in the Top Eight after suffering back-to-back defeats—first to the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 100-109, followed by a 91-102 setback against the Converge FiberXers.

On the other hand, Magnolia finds itself struggling near the bottom of the standings, having dropped its last four games. Interestingly, this follows a strong conference debut where they easily defeated the Blackwater Bossing, 118-100.

With much ground to cover, both teams aim to halt their disappointing trends and find some respite as the holiday season approaches.

Coach Jong Uichico’s NLEX squad is determined to right the ship and finish above the .500 mark before taking a break for Christmas. Their next challenge lies on January 10 against the Meralco Bolts at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Currently, they are in eighth place with a 3-3 win-loss record, trailing behind NorthPort (5-1), Hong Kong Eastern (5-1), Meralco (3-1), Rain or Shine (3-1), Barangay Ginebra (3-1), San Miguel Beer (3-2), and Converge (3-2).

In a surprising twist, Magnolia, a team that has long been recognized as a formidable contender, now finds itself amidst the usual underachievers.

Ricardo Ratliffe and his teammates are reeling from a narrow loss to Rain or Shine, where they squandered a valiant effort to overcome a 13-point deficit, eventually falling after leading 98-86.

Earlier, Magnolia also faced heartbreak in close contests against the TNT Tropang Giga, 100-103, the NorthPort Batang Pier, 103-107, and the Converge FiberXers, 91-93.

The pressing question for coach Chito Victolero and his team revolves around how to effectively navigate tight endgame situations.

As they sit at 1-4, they face tough challenges ahead, including this back-to-back slate against NLEX and Ginebra.

After their Christmas Day clash, the Hotshots will have to wait until January 10 to return to action against the Terrafirma Dyip.