Magnolia secured the twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Philippine Cup after edging past TNT, 88-83, in a game that played a crucial role in the playoff complexion on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Zavier Lucero scored 24 points but it was the quality minutes by old reliable Rafi Reavis which also proved crucial as the Hotshots ended the eliminations at 8-3 and assured themselves of the quarterfinal bonus by finishing inside the top four.

READ: PBA: Youngsters like Lucero helping out old hands to give Magnolia strong start

The Hotshots also relegated the Tropang 5G to a precarious spot as their quest for a historic Grand Slam will have to go through a tough situation of needing to beat their opponent twice in the quarters.

TNT went 6-5 to finish the eliminations after dropping its last two games.

Magnolia Hotshots’ Raffy Reavies during a PBA Philippine Cup game against TNT Tropang Giga. –PBA IMAGES

RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana scored 18 and 15 points for TNT, but a frustrated coach Chot Reyes benched both players with three minutes left as Magnolia went ahead by double figures.

Even without Oftana and Pogoy, who eventually went back in the final seconds, the Tropang 5G managed to cut the deficit to four but it was too late.

TNT will end up either No. 6 or No. 7 depending on the results of Sunday’s final doubleheader pitting San Miguel Beer against NorthPort and Barangay Ginebra opposite Rain or Shine at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Magnolia, on the other hand, can either be No. 2 with a three-way tie with NLEX and San Miguel or No. 3 in the event of a four-way tie alongside Ginebra.

Reavis, hardly-used but has taken an active role as a leader on the bench, had four points and six rebounds in 12 minutes for the Hotshots.