Magnolia Pambansang Manok booked its first semifinal appearance in two years after finishing off Rain or Shine, 96-86, in their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series Thursday, Sept. 30 at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Calvin Abueva showed why he is the early frontrunner for the Best Player of the Conference with another double-double while Paul Lee and Jio Jalalon keyed a fourth quarter run that broke the backs of the Elasto Painters to secure the Hotshots’ sweep of the best-of-three affair.
Abueva had 20 points and 19 rebounds, Lee topscored with 24 points and Jalalon delivered perhaps his best game of the conference with 16 points, six assists and two steals.
The Hotshots advanced to the semis for the first time since the 2019 Philippine Cup when they lost to the San Miguel Beermen for the crown. They failed to make it past the quarters in the past three conferences prior to this year’s season-opening tournament.
Coach Chito Victolero’s squad will play a best-of-seven series against the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between NLEX and Meralco.
Victolero lauded his team for staying afloat after Rain or Shine threatened to complete its comeback in the second half.
“It’s very hard na kalaban ang Rain or Shine,” said Victolero. “I told my players na it’s a defensive battle from start to finish and we need to execute on both ends of the floor. Thanks to my players, nag-commit sila sa gusto namin mangyari.”
Despite shooting 30 percent in the first quarter, Magnolia led 28-17 as it held Rain or Shine to a 24-percent clip. But the Elasto Painters got a lift from veteran James Yap in the second and third while Rey Nambatac also got into the act to narrow the gap.
With Yap and Nambatac leading the charge, the Hotshots lead was reduced to 71-69 going into the fourth. It proved to be the Elasto Painters’ last stand.
Jalalon made six straight points to open the final canto, Lee hit a three followed by a two-pointer and Abueva scored as Magnolia turned in a 13-2 run to make it 84-71 with 7:33 remaining.
Yap scored a conference-high 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting while Nambatac added 13 for Rain or Shine.
The scores:
MAGNOLIA 96 — Lee 24, Abueva 20, Jalalon 16, Sangalang 13, Barroca 8, Corpuz 5, Ahanmisi 3, Dela Rosa 3, Dionisio 2, Reavis 2, Pascual 1.
RAIN OR SHINE 86 — Yap 16, Nambatac 13, Caracut 9, Mocon 9, Santillan 8, Wong 8, Belga 8, Asistio 7, Borboran 3, Norwood 3, Ponferada 3, Torres 0, Guinto 0, Tolentino 0.
Quarters: 28-17, 49-41, 71-69, 96-86.