Rain or Shine’s youth brigade continues to impress, as the Elasto Painters tore apart the Magnolia Hotshots, 93-80, to take a big 2-0 lead in their 2019 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series, Sunday night at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
After Javee Mocon shone back in Game One, Ed Daquioag starred this time around. He set the pace for the Elasto Painters with 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field along with three rebounds and three assists.
The third-year guard out of UST scored eight of his output in the second quarter, sparking RoS’ 18-6 run. The Elasto Painters turned a three-point lead to a wide 41-26 gap with 4:40 remaining, making things a one-sided affair in their favor.
Norbert Torres was impressive in the victory as well, scoring 10 of his 16 points in the first quarter alone. The fourth-year slotman from La Salle also finished with five rebounds, a steal, and a block in nearly 15 minutes of action.
“I think it’s all about trusting each other,” said Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia, as his team has seen different players step up. “If you noticed, we rarely used some of our players in the eliminations, but we always tell them to be ready.”
Rey Nambatac supplied 12 points and also had three rebounds and three assists. Meanwhile, Gabe Norwood chimed in 10 markers – spiked by a pair of three-pointers – on top of five assists, three rebounds, and a steal.
Mocon, who had 15 and 10 in the series opener two nights ago, just managed to put up seven points. Still, he made his presence felt in other aspects, as he filled the stat sheet with six rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block.
The rookie out of San Beda also gave Rain or Shine their biggest lead of the game at 25, 84-59, through a lay-up with 8:39 left to play.
James Yap only had eight points built on two treys, but his outside shots moved him to number four overall in career three-pointers made with 1,138. He surpassed Cebuano Hotshot Dondon Hontiveros who has 1,137.
Robbie Herndon and Ian Sangalang had 13 points each and combined for 13 rebounds to lead Magnolia. Paul Lee supplied 12 points, five boards, and three assists, while rookie Michael Calisaan added 10 markers in garbage time.
Rain or Shine will look to post a commanding 3-0 lead in Game Three on Tuesday, April 16.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 93 – Daquioag 19, Torres 16, Nambatac 12, Norwood 10, Yap 8, Mocon 7, Rosales 6, Borboran 6, Ponferada 3, Alejandro 3, Maiquez 2, Belga 1, Onwubere 0.
Magnolia 80 – Sangalang 13, Herndon 13, Lee 12, Calisaan 10, Dela Rosa 7, Melton 5, Brondial 4, Ramos 3, Abundo 3, Reavis 2, Barroca 2, Pascual 2, Jalalon 2.
Quarterscores: 19-18, 50-41, 73-57, 93-80.
