By Adrian Stewart Co

Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots used a strong third quarter rampage to beat Rain or Shine (ROS) Elasto Painters, 81-70, in Game 1 of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals yesterday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Paul Lee heated up in the fourth quarter to finish with 20 points, while Ian Sangalang added double-double 19 points and 13 rebounds as the Hotshots took a 1-0 edge in the best-of-three series.

Jiovani Jalalon and Rome dela Rosa tallied 10 markers apiece, while Calvin Abueva hauled 13 rebounds to go with eight points for Magnolia, which can finish off the Painters in Game 2 on Thursday.

Down 42-37 at the half, the Hotshots went on a 23-5 scoring blast in the third quarter on inside conversions from Sangalang and perimeter hits by Lee and Jalalon for a 60-47 advantage.

Consecutive hits from Painters’ Leonard Santillan closed the gap to 64-69 midway in the fourth, but the Hotshots relied on conversion from Lee and Jackson Corpuz to make it 73-64.

Rain or Shine made its last push at 67-73 on a three-pointer by Santillan but free throws by Lee and a layup by Dela Rosa increased Magnolia’s lead to 81-70 with under a minute left.

Santillan tallied double-double 17 points and 12 rebounds in his first-ever PBA playoffs game, Rey Nambatac added 16 markers, while Javee Mocon contributed 11 points for the Painters.

Meanwhile, defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings punched the last quarterfinals ticket after a 95-85 beating of Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in their do-or-die game on Saturday night.

Prince Caperal top-scored with 19 points, including three outside conversions, Stanley Pringle added 17 markers, while Christian Standhardinger had double-double 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Kings.

Barangay Ginebra occupied the eighth and last quarterfinals seat and will face No. 1 ranked TNT Tropang Giga, which is armed with a twice-to-beat incentive, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday./ASC, WDJ