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San Miguel Beer and Magnolia Hotshots, both traditional contenders in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, are in an unusual position, struggling to secure spots in the Top Eight. With the elimination round past its halfway point, both teams are in a "must-win" situation, treating every game as a virtual playoff to avoid elimination.

San Miguel Beermen’s Struggles

• Record: 3-4, slightly ahead of Magnolia and NLEX Road Warriors (3-5).
• Recent Performance: Coming off a two-game losing streak, including a 91-99 loss to Hong Kong Eastern and an 81-93 defeat to Barangay Ginebra Kings.
• Challenges: The Beermen have yet to find their rhythm with substitute import Jabari Narcis, currently 0-2 with him on the roster.

Magnolia Hotshots’ Challenges

• Record: Tied at 3-5 with NLEX, facing a tougher path to playoffs.
• Recent Performance: Narrowly escaped with an 89-84 win over Terrafirma, thanks to standout performances from Ricardo Ratliffe (32 points, 14 rebounds) and Zavi Lucero (17 points, including clutch baskets).
• Key Issues: Playing without key player Paul Lee due to a meniscus injury, Magnolia has relied on grinding out close games to stay afloat.

Player and Coach Insights

• Zavi Lucero (Magnolia): Acknowledged the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the team’s need to win every game moving forward.
• Coach Chito Victolero (Magnolia): Highlighted the team’s resilience in closing out tight matches, despite mounting challenges.

Both teams face immense pressure as they battle for playoff contention. San Miguel needs to break its losing streak, while Magnolia must continue overcoming injuries and grinding out wins to remain in the hunt. The upcoming clash at the Ynares Sports Center is critical for both sides’ playoff aspirations.

 

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