THE Magnolia Hotshots checked a two-game slide via an 88-83 beating of the Grand Slam-seeking TNT Tropang Giga on Friday night, June 13, in the 49th PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Hotshots got back on track at the most opportune time as the victory enabled them to secure a crucial twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round after finishing the eliminations with eight wins and three losses.

Magnolia trailed at the end of the third period, 66-69, but seized control of the match by uncorking a blistering 16-0 run to start the final stanza.

Zav Lucero, William Navarro, and Mark Barroca all scored in double figures to lead Magnolia, which bounced back from two straight losses to Barangay Ginebra and NLEX.

Lucero tallied a game-high 24 points, Navarro had 13 and Barroca pitched in 11.

The Hotshots also drew a huge lift from veteran center Rafi Reavis, who put in four points, six rebounds, a steal, and a block in 12 quality minutes of play.

The loss, on the other hand, was a big blow for TNT as it yanked them out of Top 4 that denied them of a win-once bonus.

The Tropa capped their elimination round campaign with six wins and five losses and could end up as the sixth or seventh seed in the quarterfinals.

RR Pogoy led TNT with 18 points while Calvin Oftana (15 points), Poy Erram (12), Jordan Heading (12), and Kelly Williams (10) also scored in twin digits in the loss.

THE SCORES:

MAGNOLIA (88) - Lucero 24, Navarro 13, Barroca 11, Sangalang 9, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Dela Rosa 7, Lastimosa 6, Reavis 4, Laput 0, Alfaro 0.

TNT (83)-Pogoy 18, Oftana 15, Erram 12, Heading 12, Williams 10, Khobuntin 7, Aurin 7, Galinato 2, Varilla 0, Enciso 0, Vosotros 0, Heruela 0.QUARTERSCORES: 21-23, 49-43, 66-69, 88-83.(CCM)

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• #Magnolia Hotshots
• #TNT Tropang Giga
• #49th PBA Philippine Cup
• #Zav Lucero
• #William Navarro
• #Mark Barroca