The Rain or Shine (ROS) is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Magnolia Hotshots at 4:00 PM on November 7, 2020, live from the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Angeles City, Pampanga.
James Yap, Beau Belga, and the rest of the Elasto Painters were incinerated by the gritty Meralco Bolts last Thursday.
Along with Norbert Torres, Yap and Belga are the only players who scored in double figures. With this, Rain or Shine dropped outside the Top Four with a third loss in their last four outings.
The Bolts outscored the Elastopainters, 28-7, in the third period. The gap Meralco established was so insurmountable, Rain or Shine couldn’t comeback in the game that eventually paved the way to a 5-3 win-loss slate for the Norman Black-coached team.
The Elastopainters have slipped to their second straight defeat for a 4-3 slate. With this, they also dropped out of the Top Four; however, for the Caloy Garcia-coached team, their contention for the Top Four and the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals is still alive. This is possible if they can win their last four games against Magnolia, Blackwater, TNT Tropang Giga, and Phoenix Super LPG.
Meanwhile, Magnolia turned back Terrafirma Dyip, 103-89, to stretch its winning streak in the PBA bubble.
Paul Lee was again at the helm of the Hotshots’ offense, torching the Dyip for 29 points, including 5-of-8 from three-point range in towing the Hotshots to their third straight win in the bubble.
Magnolia is now at the .500 mark (4-4) as it clings to the no. 8 positions six days left before the elimination phase concludes.
“It was a very hard game. And worry namin sa coaching staff how to recover our legs. Actually, hirap kami nung first half,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero after their conquest of Terrafirma.
The Hotshots can well make it to the playoffs with at least two wins in their last three games against Rain or Shine, NorthPort, and Blackwater. A sweep can even give them a shot at a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters.