Painters halt Hotshots six-game win streak

MANILA, Philippines -- Facing an undefeated Magnolia side, Rain or Shine shot the lights out and tightened it up on defense to grab a 119-105 win over the Hotshots in their PBA Philippine Cup matchup Sunday at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

This thus gave Magnolia its first loss in the conference after winning their first six games.

Painters head coach Yeng Guiao, after the game, said that coming into Sunday’s matchup, they acknowledged that it is indeed a challenge to face the red-hot Hotshots.

“Alam naman namin na wala pa silang talo. So we're just hoping na sobrang ganda nila laro nila, baka isang araw mamalasin sila, matapat sana doon sa araw na kalaban namin. Mabuti na lang medyo ganoon, medyo minalas sila,” Guiao told reporters.

Adrian Nocum powered the winning team with 20 points, seven assists and two rebounds, as he had a +- of +35. Santi Santillan had a double-double of 17 markers and 13 boards.

The Painters started the game waxing hot, leading 37-21 at the end of the first quarter.

The Hotshots though nipped the lead away and sliced the deficit to four, 48-52, after a 4-pointer by Paul Lee at the 3:50 mark of the second frame.

But a 10-4 end to the half pushed Rain or Shine’s lead back to double digits, 62-52, at the half.

The Painters then regained their deadly form in the second half as their lead grew to as much as 23 points, 94-71, in the fourth, as Magnolia played catchup the rest of the way.

Rain or Shine had a hot shooting outing from beyond the arc, making 15 of their 31 3-point attempts. All 12 players who saw action made at least one triple.

The team also made 42 of their 81 field goal attempts compared to Magnolia’s 39-of-93 shooting clip.

“Maganda yung shooting namin as you said, we were making our 3-point shots. And we were also able to play at our own pace. Gusto namin yung pace namin kanina. I think we were able to control the transition game. Mas marami kaming fast break points, mas mabilis yung pace ng laro. Tapos maganda yung ball movement namin, we had 29 assists,” Guiao said.

“Nagtulong-tulong lang, sabi mo nga, with our rotation, I think everybody was able to score and contribute offensively. But much more so defensively because kaya na nanalo yung Magnolia, balanse yung laro nila. Ganda ng depensa nila, ganda opensa nila. Pero kanina medyo nababaaan namin yung efficiency nila,” he added.

“So both offense namin, defense namin gumana. At may araw din talaga, sobrang ganda ng nilalaro nila, may araw na mamalasin din. O buti na lang natapat sa amin.”

Jhonard Clarito had 14 markers for Rain or Shine, while Felix Lemetti and Keith Datu chipped in 11 and 10, respectively. 

Zav Lucero powered Magnolia with 17 points and six rebounds, while Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang had 15 each. Jed Mendoza added 11. 

Rain or Shine rose to 4-2 in the season, while Magnolia remained on top with a 6-1 slate, half a game ahead of second-placed NLEX Road Warriors.

The Painters will be taking on the TNT Tropang 5G next Wednesday, while the Hotshots will try to get back on track against the NorthPort Batang Pier next Saturday at the Candon City Arena.