HOTSHOTS STRIKE BACK

After coughing a franchise all-time low 51 last time, Magnolia returned with sharpened weapons and doubled its scoring output in an atonement performance that led to quarterfinal qualification.

- OLMIN LEYBA

With their offense clicking side by side with their usual defensive spunk, the Hotshots disposed of Terrafirma, 108-100, to climb out of a two-game slide and into the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs yesterday at the PhilSports Arena.

At 6-4, Chito Victolero's charges joined San Miguel Beer (10-0) and Barangay Ginebra (7-3) in the next round with a game to spare in their elimination slate. Along the way, they forced the Dyip to a final record of 5-6, tied for eighth with NorthPort at press time.

The Hotshots will wrap it up against TNT (5-5) on Sunday. Out of contention for Top 2 and twice to-beat, the Magnolia cagers can go as high as third seed and as low as sixth heading into the best-of-3 quarterfinal series.