The Magnolia Hotshots able to hold off the streaking Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 69-68.
Romeo Travis led the Hotshots with his 26 points and 14 rebounds. The reigning Best Import of the Conference started slowly in the first quarter but in the next three, he went on fire particularly in the second half.
Apart from Travis, no other Magnolia player reached double-figures in scoring as both teams played intense defense similar to their encounter during the Game 7 of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Semis.
If Rain or Shine has a similar ritual like the San Miguel Beermen and the TNT KaTropa then the bench players, as well as the coaching staff players of ROS, had stood up the entire first quarter as they were zero field goal in that period.
They were only held to six points and all of their scores came from the free-throw line.
Yet, in the third quarter, Rain or Shine executed their adjustment after they came back from their dugout and took over the lead.
In the last quarter, the score was still close. Mark Barroca gave Rain or Shine a chance to steal the victory when he missed his free-throws with 58 seconds left on the clock, 69-68.
Beau Belga wanted to a much comfortable as he attempted a three-pointer but his shot was a miss. The ball went back to Magnolia yet the Hotshots also missed their shot.
Rain or Shine had one more chance to steal the victory and coach Caloy Garcia deployed his usual game-finisher Rey Nambatac.
However, Magnolia seems like they smell what ROS wanted to do and the “Stingray” was heavily defended. Nambatac has no choice but to pass the ball out and it was Gabe Norwood who took the supposed to be game-winning shot but his attempt was a miss.
ROS now staring on their 1-3 slate while the Hotshots now improved to 2-1.
Romeo Travis Operates Inside The Paint
Magnolia vs Rain or Shine Box Score
Hotshots (69) – Melton 3, Reavis 6, Dela Rosa 5, Lee 7, Travis 26, Sangalang 8, Barroca 8, Pingris 2, Jalalon 4
Elasto Painters (68) – Torres 2, Nambatac 2, Norwood 2, Mocon 14, Locke 13, Borboran 7, Yap 6, Exciminiano 5, Ponferada 3, Daquioag 5, Belga 9