Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 26) – The Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots drew first blood in their 2021 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-three quarterfinal duel with Rain or Shine, 81-70, on Sunday at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Paul Lee led the scoring cudgels for Magnolia with 20 points while Ian Sangalang registered double-double figures of 19 markers and 13 rebounds as they moved to a win away from advancing to the semifinals.
“Our mindset is to really work harder to win in this game. If we don’t work hard, we will lose this match,” Sangalang said after the game.
The Hotshots showed their offensive might towards the end of the first quarter as they scored the last three baskets to take a 21-16 lead after the first 12 minutes.
Rain or Shine kept the game at bay in the second quarter until shooter Rey Nambatac and big man Beau Belga led the late offensive attack to post a 42-37 advantage at halftime.
The turnaround for Magnolia happened in the third quarter after the duo of Lee and Sangalang started converting their shots to widen the lead.
Rome dela Rosa made his two free-throws in the final 24 seconds of the game for the Hotshots’ biggest lead of the game, 60-47, but Nambatac answered with a rainbow shot as the buzzer sounded in the third canto.
Magnolia kept its composure in the final quarter as Lee led the scoring for the Chito Victolero-coached squad. It was all over for Rain or Shine when its remaining solid big man Belga fouled out in the last 41 seconds of the game.
Lee, who recovered from a slow offensive performance in the first half, nailed a three-point shot with 44 seconds left in the contest to seal the 1-0 advantage for the Hotshots.
“In any series, Game 1 will give the team that needed momentum. This is a defensive battle and we have that mental toughness, so we’re ready for any physical game. We’re down in the first half but in the second half, we kept on executing and that is the most important thing,” said Victolero.
Rookie Santi Santillan led Rain or Shine with 17 points as the Elasto Painters face a do-or-die Game 2 in their quarterfinal matchup.
The Scores:
MAGNOLIA 81 – Lee 20, Sangalang 19, Dela Rosa 10, Jalalon 10, Barroca 8, Abueva 8, Corpuz 4, Pascual 2, Reavis 0, Ahanmisi 0, Dionisio 0
RAIN OR SHINE 70 – Santillan 17, Nambatac 16, Mocon 11, Belga 8, Borboran 5, Caracut 3, Norwood 3, Ponferada 3, Torres 2, Yap 2, Wong 0, Asistio 0
Quarterscores: 21-16, 37-42, 60-50, 81-70
