By Adrian Stewart Co

The Magnolia Hotshots survived a furious run by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and escaped with a 94-91 win in Game 4 of their 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series last Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The win leveled the series 2-2.

Leading by as much as 21 points, the Hotshots later saw their deficit trimmed to 92-91 before Magnolia sealed their series-tying win on two free throws by Jio Jalalon.

Ian Sangalang finished with a double-double on 19 points and 10 rebounds; while Paul Lee and Jalalon contributed 15 and 12 markers, respectively.

The Hotshots opened the game with a 10-3 lead on two triples by Andy Mark Barroca before widening the gap to their largest lead of 21 points late in the second quarter on hits from Lee and Sangalang.

Magnolia maintained the 20-point advantage through the third period but Rain or Shine countered with a run in the fourth period behind James Yap and Javee Mocon leading to the aforementioned one-point game.

Game 5 takes place tonight at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City./ASC, WDJ