The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters did what six other teams could not do so far this PBA Philippine Cup: shove the Magnolia Hotshots to the losing column.
Magnolia had been so invincible that Rain or Shine could only hope they could catch the Hotshots on a bad day when they square off in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
That’s exactly what happened Sunday, May 18, as the Elasto Painters came away with a 119-105 victory over erstwhile unbeaten Magnolia, 119-105, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
"Challenge talaga to face Magnolia. Alam naming wala pa silang talo, so we’re just hoping na sa sobrang ganda ng nilalaro nila, baka isang araw, mamalasin sila. Matapat sana sa araw na kalaban namin,” ROS coach Yeng Guiao said after his team improved to 4-2.
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“Mabuti na lang medyo ganoon nga, medyo minalas sila. Tapos maganda ang shooting namin. We’re making our three-point shots."
Rain or Shine shot 15 triples, more than twice as many as Magnolia’s seven in the game witnessed by over 8,000 screaming fans at the brand new Ynares Center in Montalban.
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Every Elasto Painter made at least one from that range.
Adrian Nocum drilled in one as he topscored for Rain or Shine with 20 points. He also had seven assists.
Santi Santillan was later named Player of the Game with his 17 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.
Santi Santillan earns the Player of the Game nod as Rain or Shine deals Magnolia its first setback in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
“Before practice, nag-e-extra [work] talaga ako. Pinagtatrabahuhan ko 'yong shooting ko. Sa practice, nandoon naman ang intensity namin lagi para masanay kami sa laro,” said Santillan, whose team led by as many as 23 points, 94-71, at the onset of the fourth.
Zavier Lucero was one of the few bright spots for the Hotshots as he wound up with 17 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang had 15 points each for Magnolia.
Rain or Shine vs. Magnolia 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, Dionsio 2, Alfaro 2, Laput 2, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 37-21, 62-52, 92-71, 119-105.