By MARK REY MONTEJO
Rain or Shine started strong behind the exploits of Jhonard Clarito but needed the clutch outside shooting from Gian Mamuyac and Stan Pringle late in the pivotal fourth period to score 101-92 over Magnolia and secure a quarterfinal bonus in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Bahrain early Tuesday, Dec. 16 (Philippine time).
The hard-working Clarito scored 21 points, 16 of them in the first two quarters, before Mamuyac, Pringle and Caelan Tiongson waxed hot from afar to repel Magnolia’s gutsy comeback and notch their third straight win and 8th overall in 10 games.
Given two assignments on Bahraini soil, the Elasto Painters didn’t disappoint in front of overseas Filipino workers as they showcased their firepower, mainly in the third, where Pringle buried back-to-back triples for a 74-58 advantage.
But it was Mamuyac who delivered the finishing touches as Magnolia trimmed the deficit to four, 85-81, at the opening minutes of the fourth behind Ian Sangalang.
With the win, ROS regained the solo lead, enough to a twice-to-beat advantage.
That also gave them extra motivation when they battle Ginebra this Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Magnolia dropped to 6-4 in a four-way logjam with Meralco, Converge, and NLEX.
The Hotshots still have their shot to break free in the tie when they tussle with the Tropang 5G Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 101 – Clarito 21, Mamuyac 14, Tiongson 14, Nocum 13, Pringle 9, Santillan 8, Porter 8, Caracut 4, Norwood 4, Malonzo 3, Belga 3, Ildefonso 0, Pangilinan-Lemetti 0.
Magnolia 92 – Barroca 14, Alfaro 13, De Liano 12, Dela Rosa 10, Sangalang 10, Lucero 9, Lee 8, Koon 6, Verano 4, Laput 3, Lastimosa 3, Gomez 0.
Quarters: 27-24; 53-47; 81-69; 101-92.
