By Adrian Stewart Co

Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots recorded its second straight win in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup with a 109-98 beating of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters yesterday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Reinforcement Mike Harris spearheaded the offense with 26 points to go with six rebounds and two blocks, while Calvin Abueva added 18 points and nine boards as the Hotshots rose to 2-0 win-loss slate.

Jiovani Jalalon flirted with triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists and six rebounds as Ian Sangalang chipped in 11 markers and eight rebounds for the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup runner-up.

The Hotshots zoomed to a 20-13 start on early hits from Abueva and Paul Lee but the Painters countered with a run to take a 31-27 edge but conversions by Sangalang swung the lead back to Magnolia, 34-31.

The Painters were hanging around at 36-38 at the onset of the second period but the Hotshots leaned on shots from Jackson Corpuz and Sangalang increased it to 52-40 before they settled for a 55-48 halftime edge.

The Hotshots continued its dominance in the third quarter as the lead grew to 77-62 with baskets from Abueva and Jalalon. The Painters rallied to within nine but Magnolia maintained the edge at 86-73 following baskets from Corpuz.

Consecutive hits by rookie Jerrick Ahanmisi early in the fourth gave Magnolia its largest lead at 96-78. Rain or Shine made its last push but could only come to as close as nine points.

Henry Walker and Rey Nambatac finished with 23 points apiece, while Jayvee Mocon and Beau Belga added 20 and 14 markers, respectively, as the Painters dropped to 2-2 slate./ASC, WDJ