The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots stopped a Phoenix Fuel Masters’ comeback to register its fourth win in five matches in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Hotshots found the clutch free throws that helped seal the game, courtesy of Jerom Lastimosa, to make it an 83-80 ballgame, and frustrated the other side’s attempt to overturn the game.

The Fuel Masters fell as far as 14 points, but made sure to put up a fight, and closed within one off an RR Garcia four-pointer.

“They’re relentless. They’re not gonna stop playing until the final buzzer. And they showed it in the final quarter and in the last minute of the game,” said Magnolia coach LA Tenorio as he reflected on the game.

“We lost the fourth quarter [scoring]. Good thing, we had the lead going into the fourth and good thing we won because of the stop,” Tenorio added.

Lastimosa finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Ian Sangalang had 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for Tenorio.

Jason Perkins, for his part, tallied 19 points and five rebounds to pace the Fuel Masters.

Meanwhile, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters rode on Santi Santillan’s heroics to defeat the Terrafirma Dyip, 106-91, earlier that day.

Despite having a 17-point advantage midway through at the 66-49 mark, Terrafirma fought back and even took the upper hand, 73-70.

But Santillan was there for the offense the Elasto Painters needed, firing 16 of his 26 total in the payoff period to shut down the surging Dyip.

Santillan added seven rebounds and two steals to his output, while Keith Datu made his presence felt with 12 points and six rebounds, as Jhonard Clarito and Felix Pangilinan-Lemeti had 11 points each.

Unfortunately, Jerrick Ahanmisi’s 25-point showing for the Dyip was for naught as they absorbed the loss. (ABS-CBN News)