MANILA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters leaned on a huge endgame run to defeat Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 109-105, in Game 1 of the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Down 91-100 with over five minutes in the game, the Painters got two inside conversions from Aaron Fuller and a three-pointer from Andrei Caracut to cut the deficit to 98-100.
Magnolia managed to extend the lead to 102-98 on two free throws by Rome dela Rosa, but Rain or Shine responded with a layup from Caracut and a three-pointer from Caelan Tiongson to take a 103-102 advantage.
Another basket from Fuller and a split free throw from Caracut widened the Painters’ advantage to 106-102. The Hotshots made their last push via a three-pointer from Zavier Lucero before ROS sealed the win with free throws from Jhonard Clarito.
Clarito finished the game with 20 points, five rebounds, and one steal to be named Player of the Game as the Painters took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five quarterfinals series.
Fuller led the way for the Painters with a double-double of 24 points and 20 rebounds, Adrian Nocum contributed 14 markers, while Leonard Santillan and Gian Mamuyac ended with 12 markers apiece.
“Advantage is just willing to battle, we are trying to grind it out. Nung natirahan kami ng four-point shots, a team of weaker stuffs will fold, it’s a testament to the character of the guys, we were able to overcome it,” said Painters head coach Yeng Guiao.
“Magnolia really surprised us because they tried to play our game and they were able to keep in step with us, ‘yun nga we made some big plays and we forced some stops,” he added.
Rayvonte Rice top-scored for the Hotshots with 16 points, Paul Lee had a near triple-double of 15 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds, while Jerrick Ahanmisi contributed 15, including three four-point shots./PN
BOX SCORE:
RAIN OR SHINE 109 – Fuller 24, Clarito 20, Nocum 14, Santillan 12, Mamuyac 12, Caracut 9, Tiongson 9, Lemetti 5, Belga 2, Datu 2, Asistio 0.
MAGNOLIA 105 – Rice 16, Lee 15, Ahanmisi 15, Barroca 12, Lucero 11, Sangalang 11, Dela Rosa 8, Dionisio 7, Abueva 6, Laput 2, Eriobu 2, Mendoza 0, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 19-16, 51-50, 82-80, 109-105.
