Yeng Guiao hailed his team for their character after Rain or Shine came away with a 109-105 win against Magnolia in Game 1 of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series.
The Elasto Painters ramped up their defensive intensity in the closing minutes of their game on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-5 affair.
“We were just trying to grind it out,” said Guiao, whose team trailed 102-98 with under three minutes left.
“Noong natirahan kami ng tatlo, apat yatang four-point shots ‘yun, a team of weaker stuff would have folded up. So, it’s a testament to the character of the guys. We were able to come back out of that,” he added.
The Hotshots were looking to break the game open behind Jerrick Ahanmisi, who found his range behind the four-point line to put Magnolia in control. Aris Dionisio also joined the party, nailing his own four-pointer to make it a 10-point game, 94-84.
But the Elasto Painters showed no quit, and timely buckets by Andrei Caracut and Aaron Fuller kept them in the fight. After Rome dela Rosa knocked down two free throws for a 102-98 count, Rain or Shine kept the Hotshots scoreless in the next two minutes and 29 seconds while scoring eight points of their own.
A Caelan Tiongson triple made it a one-point game, 103-102, and two free throws by Fuller eventually gave Rain or Shine the lead for good.
Zavier Lucero kept Magnolia in the hunt with a clutch three with 25 seconds to go for a 106-105 count, and they still had a chance even with Jhonard Clarito making three free throws.
Unfortunately for the Hotshots, Paul Lee’s attempt at a game-tying four-pointer hit the rim as time expired.
“We made some big plays, the 3-point shot by Caelan, then some missed shots or we forced some stops, crucial stops. We were able to prevent them from executing,” said Guiao.
“Our character is being tested and at least for now, we passed the test,” he added.
Fuller had another big game, with 24 points and 20 boards for Rain or Shine, while Clarito finished with 20 markers.
Magnolia import Ray Rice had only 16 points on 6-of-20 shooting. Ahanmisi finished with 15 points after making three of his four attempts from the four-point arc.
Game 2 of the series is on Friday in Sta. Rosa.
The Scores :
RAIN OR SHINE 109 – Fuller 24, Clarito 20, Nocum 14, Santillan 12, Mamuyac 12, Caracut 9, Tiongson 9, Lemetti 5, Belga 2, Datu 2, Asistio 0
MAGNOLIA 105 – Rice 16, Lee 15, Ahanmisi 15, Barroca 12, Lucero 11, Sangalang 11, Dela Rosa 8, Dionisio 7, Abueva 6, laput 2, Eriobu 2, Mendoza 0, Reavis 0
QUARTERS : 19-16, 51-50, 82-80, 109-105
