The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots are aiming for a stronger showing in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with the addition of import Ricardo Ratliffe and rookie guard Jerom Lastimosa.
Head coach Chito Victolero noted that the duo addresses key weaknesses in the team’s center and point guard positions, which were problem areas during the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup.
“We are looking forward to a better conference; we are looking forward to a deep playoff run; hopefully these two guys will help us improve our game and our previous achievements,” Victolero said in an interview with Abante Radyo’s Sports Now program.
“With the addition of Jerom mas nag deepen ‘yung guard rotation namin, and with an experienced import like Ricardo, we can improve our offense and defense, leadership, and experience niya,” he added.
The Hotshots finished runner up in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, where they lost to the San Miguel Beermen in six games in the finals.
Magnolia split their first two matches in the current Commissioner’s Cup, winning against the Blackwater Bossing 118-100 before losing to the Converge FiberXers 93-91, despite leading by as many as 20 points
