AS THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) nears its playoff round, the powerhouse teams San Miguel Beermen and Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots suddenly found themselves in unfamiliar ground as they both hunt to stay alive in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The Beermen and Hotshots slug it out on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The Beermen stand at No. 8 in the team standings with a 3-4 (win-loss) record, while the Hotshots stand at No. 10 with a 3-5 slate.
Both teams, traditional contenders in the league, are on different sides now hoping to stay within the Top 8 before the elimination wraps up.
Hanging on for the playoff spots and rivals of the Beermen and Hotshots are the NLEX Road Warriors (3-5) and Phoenix Fuel Masters (2-5).
The Hotshots will bank on its momentum coming from a fresh win against the Terrafirma Dyip, 89-84, last Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.
“Either we win or we go home pretty much,” said Magnolia forward Zavi Lucero of where they stand at joint ninth with the NLEX Road Warriors at 3-5.
In the game against Dyip, Ricardo Ratcliffe led the way for Hotshots with 32 points and 14 rebounds and Lucero garnered 17 markers, including clutch hits at the finish.
