Hotshots, E-Painters show way ‘on Tour’

MANILA, Philippines — With consistent strong performances, unbeaten squads Magnolia and Rain on Shine have installed themselves as the hottest among the lot in the initial skirmishes of the PBA on Tour.

The Hotshots hold pole position entering the second month of the pre-season hostilities with five straight wins with the Elasto Painters close by at 4-0.  Meralco and NorthPort, carrying identical 3-2 cards, are the closest pursuers of the two.

Chito Victolero’s Magnolia crew has benefited from the stepped-up plays of Jerrick Ahanmisi, who has emerged as the team’s top-scorer with his 13.80-point average spiked by a 50-percent field goal shooting, and backup big James Laput, who averaged a double-double (11.40 points and 12 rebounds per game).

Magnolia’s old guards Paul Lee (12.75 ppg and 4.25 apg), Mark Barroca (12.60 ppg, 5.25 apg and 2 steals per game) and Jio Jalalon (7.33 ppg, 7 rpg) have been reliable as usual.

It also helped a great deal that the Hotshots have a relatively intact roster in their disposal. Ian Sangalang, who missed a good part of the Governors’ Cup due to thyroid issues, has returned to active duty and played two games already, leaving Calvin Abueva and Russel Escoto in the team’s sick bay.

Yeng Guiao’s Elasto Painters have been on a tear, too, led by the fine showing of Rey Nambatac (16 ppg and 3.7 apg), Anton Asistio (13.25 ppg), Leonard Santillan (11 ppg, 9.25 rpg), Shaun Ildefonso (10 ppg), Jhonard Clarito (10 ppg), Andrei Caracut (9.75 ppg) and Jewel Ponferada (9.5 ppg).

The Elasto Painters have risen as the tour’s top offensive team with an average of 112.75 markers.