Hotshots boost playoff bid

CLARK– Magnolia beefed up its playoff chances after making short work on Terra Firma, 103-89, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup eliminations Thursday at the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Gym here.

The Hotshots cruised to their third straight win and improved their card to 4-4 in the provisional standings.

So far, league-leaders TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra have already secured playoff slots with identical 6-2 cards.

Prolific guard Paul Lee powered Magnolia in the early goings of the game and finished with a game-high 29 points while adding three rebounds.

Rome dela Rosa also caught fire with a 17-point output, highlighted by his 3-of-4 shooting beyond the arc, while big man Ian Sangalang capped the day with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals.

CJ Perez led Terra Firma with 19 points and four rebounds.

The Dyip remain winless in seven games and are now in danger of getting eliminated from the bubble conference.

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