Rain or Shine dealt Magnolia its first loss of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup following a 119-105 statement win at the Ynares Center II on Sunday night.
With many of the 8,000-plus fans in the Montalban venue rooting for one of the league’s most popular franchises, the Elasto Painters snatched the spotlight by ending the unbeaten six-game winning streak of the traditional contenders.
They pulled it off big thanks to a hot start into the match, jumping to a 28-13 lead before finishing the opening frame with a 37-21 advantage.
But it wasn’t until the third canto that the youth-laden side would break away wide, pouring 30 points to build a 92-71 lead entering the final frame, where they simply refused to lift their foot off the gas en route to their second win in a row.
Rain or Shine improved to 4-2 in the standings, creating a tie with Barangay Ginebra at the fourth spot of the conference standings.
(C) PBA Images
“We’re just hoping na sobrang ganda nang nilalaro nila, baka isang araw mamalasin sila, matapat sana doon sa araw na kalaban namin,” said head coach Yeng Guiao with a smile. “Mabuti na lang, medyo ganun nga.”
Adrian Nocum top-scored for RoS with 20 points and seven assists in the stunner. Santi Santillan came through with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Jhonard Clarito delivered 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists while Felix Lemetti and Keith Datu added 11 and 10 markers, respectively, in the victory where the crew shot nearly 52-percent from the floor, including 15 threes.
“Medyo minalas sila, tapos maganda ‘yung shooting namin,” the champion bench tactician said. “We were making our three-point shots. And we were able to play at our own pace. Gusto namin ‘yung pace namin kanina.”
“Tapos, maganda ‘yung ball movement namin, we had 29 assists,” Guiao added as all 12 players saw action and scored at least three points. “I think everybody was able to score and contribute offensively, but much more so defensively.”
A team whose modest goal is to get six wins for a chance to advance, the Elasto Painters will look to catch another big fish when they take on the Grand Slam-seeking TNT on Wednesday, May 21, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“Hinahabol pa namin ‘yung six wins eh,” said Guiao. “‘Yung six wins para at least makasigurado ka na nasa second round ka or quarterfinals. We are, I think, at 4-2 right now, so dalawang panalo na lang, tingin ko.”
(C) PBA Images
Zav Lucero, on the other hand, had 17 points and six rebounds to lead Magnolia, who played an assistant coach short as Mon Jose served a one-game suspension for headbutting Cliff Hodge in their win against Meralco.
Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang had 15 points apiece while Jed Mendoza added 11 for a team that actually scored the game’s first basket, only for it to be their only taste of the lead as Rain or Shine clicked shortly after.
Coach Chito Victolero & Co. will look for an immediate rebound as they’re facing the free-falling NorthPort next on May 24, Saturday, in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 119 – Nocum 20, Santillan 17, Clarito 14, Lemetti 11, Datu 10, Mamuyac 9, Malonzo 8, Tiongson 8, Caracut 7, Belga 7, Ildefonso 5, Norwood 3
Magnolia 105 – Lucero 17, Barroca 15, Sangalang 15, Mendoza 11, Lee 7, Ahanmisi 7, Lastimosa 6, Abueva 5, Eriobu 5, Dela Rosa 4, Escoto 3, Dionisio 2, Alfaro 2, Laput 2, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 37-21, 62-52, 92-71, 119-105.
