By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots soared to its fourth straight victory in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup after a 112-97 rout of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday evening, February 22.
Paul Lee spearheaded the offense with 19 points, including two outside conversions, Jiovani Jalalon added 19 markers and eight rebounds, while Andy Mark Barroca also ended with 19 points for the Hotshots.
Reinforcement Antonio Hester chipped in double-double 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Russel Escoto contributed 10 markers as the Hotshots scored their fourth straight win for a 4-3 win-loss slate.
The Hotshots had a fiery opening half behind Lee and Jalalon as they led by as much as 18 points, but the Painters clawed their way back to cut the deficit to as low as nine points in the third canto.
However, the Hotshots got a huge lift on consecutive points by Barroca late in the third quarter before Hester, Jalalon and Rome dela Rosa made their contributions in the fourth as the lead reached its largest at 23 points.
Despite the lopsided win, Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero remained wary of his players, especially in the several times that they have seen their double-digit lead trimmed by the Painters.
“When we feel good, doon nagsisimulang maging complacent at ‘yun ang lagi naming reminder. The mindset should be to work hard and battle for each possession,” Victolero said.
Greg Smith II finished with 15 points, while Leonard Santillan and Nick Demusis contributed 14 and 11 markers, respectively, as the Painters saw their two-game winning run snapped to drop to 2-5.
MAGNOLIA 112 — Lee 19, Barroca 19, Jalalon 19, Hester 17, Escoto 10, Dela Rosa 8, Reavis 6, Dionisio 6, Abueva 4, Wong 2, Zaldivar 2, Ahanmisi 0, Mendoza 0, Laput 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 97 — Smith 15, Santillan 14, Demusis 11, Yap 9, Belga 9, Caracut 9, Ildefonso 8, Asistio 6, Norwood 5, Nambatac 5, Mamuyac 4, Clarito 2, Ponferrada 0, Borboran 0.
Quarterscores: 33-19, 53-44, 91-77, 112-97./ASC, WDJ