WATCH: Ian Sangalang Highlights [Magnolia vs Rain or Shine | Dec. 2, 2022]

Magnolia claimed a Top Two finish and gave NLEX a lifeline with a 106-90 romp over Rain or Shine at the close of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elims at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig Friday.

A vicious closing quarter did it for the Hotshots as they got past the Elasto Painters and thus caught up with the Bay Area Dragons at 10-2 at the end of the single-round-robin elims.

But by virtue of the win-over-the-other rule, the Dragons took the pole spot and the Hotshots the second seed although both will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in their respective quarterfinals showdowns versus the eighth and the seventh seeds.

In winning their last game, the Hotshots sent the Barangay Ginebra Kings (9-3) to third seed that will play No. 6 NorthPort in a best-of-three quarters faceoff.

Benefitting big time on the Hotshots’ victory over the Elasto Painters were the NLEX Road Warriors.

NLEX caught up with ROS at 5-7 at eighth place. The two teams break the tie in a knockout duel at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the same venue, with the winner playing top seed Bay Area.

On victories by Magnolia and earlier by San Miguel Beer over Meralco, resolved was the No. 1 to No. 7 spots — Bay Area, Magnolia, Ginebra, Converge, San Miguel, NorthPort and Phoenix.