Rain or Shine eliminates Zav Lucero-less Magnolia
Rain or Shine secured their spot in the semifinals of the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup with a hard-fought 113-103 victory over Magnolia Chicken Timplados in a thrilling Game Five on Saturday night at the Ynares Center.
Young star Andrei Caracut stepped up when it mattered most, scoring eight crucial points in the final minutes of this intense do-or-die matchup. His impressive performance helped the Elasto Painters maintain their composure to overcome the formidable Hotshots, setting the stage for a semifinal showdown against fellow top-seeded TNT.
Aaron Fuller continued to be a vital asset for the Rain or Shine squad, contributing significantly to the fast-paced game. He netted a pivotal short stab with 44.6 seconds remaining, extending their lead to 109-101 and ensuring the elimination of the experienced Magnolia team in the best-of-five quarterfinals.
Fuller finished the night with an impressive 26 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, teammates Jhonard Clarito and Adrian Nocum each added 17 points, with Clarito also grabbing 10 rebounds, bolstering the Elasto Painters’ efforts.
However, it was Caracut’s timely baskets that ultimately propelled Rain or Shine into the semifinals. His scoring surge began just as the Elasto Painters’ lead had dwindled to a mere two points at 101-99. Caracut first converted a running bank shot to beat the shot clock, followed by a scoop shot with 2:08 left that extended their lead to six points. He then drilled a running jumper over Paul Lee with 1:19 remaining, pushing the score to 107-101.
Caracut capped off his standout performance by sinking two free throws with just 24 seconds on the clock, finishing with a total of 14 points and transforming what had been a tightly contested battle into a decisive 10-point margin.
Rain or Shine initially faced a 12-point deficit, trailing 23-11, but fought back valiantly, outscoring Magnolia 32-26 in the second quarter to keep the game competitive and within reach.
In the end, Coach Guiao credited Rain or Shine’s Game One victory as a crucial factor in overcoming the tough Magnolia team, which had pushed them to a rubber match.
For the Hotshots, Jabari Bird delivered a strong performance with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Calvin Abueva contributed 16 points and nine rebounds, highlighting the challenges faced by the Elasto Painters.
