(PBA images)
NOT so quick. Not yet now.
Rain or Shine delayed Magnolia’s expected playoffs entry as the Elasto Painters stopped the Hotshots’ unbeaten run with a 119-105 ambush in a well-attended match in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center Montalban Sunday.
Rejuvenated by a long rest, the Elasto Painters played with a lot of spunk, energy and firepower to hand the Hotshots a first loss in seven games while jacking up their own record to 4-2 in a tie with Barangay Ginebra at fourth.
So impressive was the E-Painters’ shooting, with all 12 players fielded in by coach Yeng Guiao knocking down at least a three-pointer each.
Jhonard Clarito, Keith Datu and Beau Belga fired two treys each, leading the shooting clinic performed before a crowd of over 8,000 in the new playing venue in Montalban, Rizal.
Adrian Nocum led the scoring parade with a total of 20 while Leonard Santillan piled up a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds as the E-Painters played well with coach Guiao once again shuffling a long rotation on the return of Belga and Caelan Tiongson.
The E-Painters jumped out of the starting gate, racing to a 37-21 lead in the first quarter.
Felix Lemetti and Beau Belga, with seven points each, led eight players hitting the scoring column right in the opening canto, and the E-Painters sustained the bombardment all throughout, coming through with a follow-up to their 120-106 ripping of the Blackwater Bossing last May 7.
They had earlier wins over NorthPort and Meralco as against losses to NLEX and Converge.
In catching up with the Gin Kings at fourth halfway through their elims skid, Guiao feels good and hopeful they can contend for a top four finish and a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarters. They had TNT, Phoenix Super LPG, Terrafirma, San Miguel Beer and Ginebra as final assignments in the elims.
Zav Lucero, Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca scored 17, 15 and 15, respectively, for the Hotshots who nonetheless stayed atop the leaderboard despite the setback.
The Hotshots had their own big salvo in the second period (31-25) as led by Barroca with 10.
However, the Elasto Painters worked on a bigger tear in the third (30-19) highlighted by 6-of-11 treys.
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, Sangalang 15, Barroca 15, Mendoza 11, Lee 7, Ahanmisi 7, Lastimosa 6, Alfaro 6, Eriobu 5, Abueva 5, Dela Rosa 4, Escoto 3, Dionisio 2, Laput 2, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 37-21, 62-52, 92-71, 119-105