By ADRIAN STEWART CO 

Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued its perfect run in the 2023 PBA on Tour after a 103-88 triumph over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the Lamberto Macias Sports & Culture Centre in Dumaguete City on Saturday night, July 15.

Jiovani Jalalon spearheaded the offense with 24 points to go with seven assists, five steals and three rebounds as the Hotshots stayed on top in the standings with a 9-0 win-loss slate.

Jerrick Ahanmisi added 18 markers, including four three-point conversions, while Rome dela Rosa and David Murrell contributed 13 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Hotshots.

The Hotshots had a chance to sweep the pre-season tournament as they face Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters on July 23, and Terrafirma Dyip on July 26 to close out their schedule.

Trailing by as much as 13 points in the opening quarter, the Hotshots started their run in the second frame behind Murrell and Abu Tratter to tie the score at 30-all before taking the lead at 48-42 at the half on back-to-back treys by Andy Mark Barroca and Joseph Eriobu.

The Hotshots continued to hold the lead early in the third quarter at 55-48 on free throws by Eriobu and Jalalon, but the Painters kept it close at 52-55 from two free throws by Gian Mamuyac.

However, the Hotshots managed to pull away at 66-56 on back-to-back three-pointers from Ahanmisi, but the Painters countered with a run behind Mamuyac to trim the deficit to 72-76.

Magnolia went for the kill to start the final quarter behind Jalalon, Jed Mendoza, James Laput, and Dela Rosa as they turned a slim lead to a 92-75 spread with eight minutes in the game.

With the Painters continuing to struggle with their shots, the Hotshots pulled away further as a basket by Mendoza and a three-pointer from Ahanmisi gave them the biggest lead of 20 points.

Jhonard Clarito finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut added 14 and 13 markers, respectively, as the Painters dropped to 6-2.

MAGNOLIA 103 — Jalalon 22, Ahanmisi 18, Dela Rosa 13, Murrell 10, Barroca 9, Laput 8, Eriobu 5, Abueva 4, Tratter 4, Mendoza 4, Corpuz 0, Reavis 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 88 — Clarito 17, Mamuyac 14, Caracut 13, Santillan 9, Asistio 9, Ildefonso 8, Belga 6, Ponferrada 5, Belo 5, Borboran 2.

Quarterscores: 18-27, 48-42, 76-72, 103-88./ASC, WDJ