Magnolia had to go through a rough patch but still came out the winner in its PBA Philippine Cup encounter with Rain or Shine.
Ian Sangalang put up a double-double and Magnolia survived a late Rain or Shine storm for a 108-102 win in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Tiaong Convention Center in Quezon on Saturday, April 20.
Sangalang scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Hotshots extended their winning streak to four for a 5-2 mark while stopping the red-hot Elasto Painters on their tracks.
Rain or Shine, coming off a five-game run, dropped to a 5-5 card.
[ALSO READ: PBA: RJ Jazul, Phoenix dismantle NLEX to get back on track]
Sangalang drew able help from the other veterans as Mark Barroca turned in 18 points, nine assists and seven rebounds while Aris Dionisio contributed 13 markers before fouling out late in the game.
Jed Mendoza added 13 points while Paul Lee logged 11.
After the Elasto Painters tied the count at 82-all on Beau Belga’s and-one play with 9:31 remaining in the fourth period, the Hotshots responded with a 14-2 surge capped by Joseph Eriobu’s freebies, 96-84.
But Rain or Shine could not be written off just yet, with Belga and Santi Santillan sparking a mini run that sliced the deficit to four, 96-92, with still 4:44 left.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Team play, holding down NLEX sniper Robert Bolick, key Phoenix win]
It was a back-and-forth affair after that, but Magnolia exploited the Elasto Painters' botched free throws to establish a 103-96 advantage following Sangalang’s hook against Belga.
Barroca would drop his signature fall-away jumper baseline, before Mendoza’s charities allowed the Hotshots to completely shut the door on Rain or Shine in the waning seconds.
Rookie Adrian Nocum, who scored on a layup with 12 ticks left to pull the Elasto Painters to within four, 106-102, paced the team with 19 big points.
Quiet in the first two quarters, Santillan churned out 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Belga sustained his stellar play with 16-8-6 to his name.
Gian Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 108 – Sangalang 25, Barroca 18, Dionisio 13, Mendoza 12, Lee 11, Eriobu 10, Abueva 8, Balanza 5, Tratter 4, Jalalon 2, Reavis 0, Escoto 0, Laput 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 102 – Nocum 19, Santillan 17, Belga 16, Mamuyac 13, Caracut 12, Aistio 9, Borboran 6, Clarito 4, Demusis 3, Belo 2, Ildefonso 0.
Quarterscores: 16-21, 54-43, 78-74, 108-102