Magnolia stays alive after battering Rain or Shine in Game 4

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados lived to see another day after decimating the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, 129-100, to force a do-or-die Game 5 in their PBA Governor’s Cup quarterfinal clash.

After a disappointing overtime loss that steered Rain or Shine to a 2-1 series lead, Magnolia finally responded to the presented challenge and played one of their best performances in the import-laced conference.

It was still a nip-and-tuck affair after the first 12 minutes as Rain or Shine’s late baskets in the shaded lane helped them level the playing field at 26-all.

Just when the Elastopainters and head coach Yeng Guiao thought they could replicate their previous strategy of clamping the perimeter to avoid Magnolia’s ability to stretch the floor, the Chicken Timplados had other plans and decided to attack the basket at the start of the second period.

That move then paid off dividends as it paved the way for their most dominant frame, outscoring the Elastopainters 36-18 to enter the second half with a double-digit lead.

All hell broke loose in the third quarter after Magnolia’s superstar Paul Lee came out smoking hot and torched Rain or Shine with his efficient three-point shooting.

Lee’s eruption ballooned Magnolia’s biggest lead to 33 points, resulting in an early surrender by Rain or Shine as coach Guiao sat out all his starters with five minutes still remaining in the ball game.

The savvy shooting guard played his best game of the playoffs so far, dropping 25 big points built from an impressive 3/4 shooting from the four-point area.

Lee bounced back from a quiet Game 3 performance and vented his ire on Rain or Shine in the pivotal Game 4, leading the Magnolia trey party that energized his teammates all the way.

Jabari Bird, Magnolia’s late reinforcement, continued his magical campaign with the Hotshots and led the squad in scoring with 30 markers derived from an efficient 12/18 shooting from the field.

Magnolia will look to complete the come-from-behind series win on October 5, 2024, and punch a ticket to the PBA Governor’s Cup semifinals.