PBA: Rain or Shine torches Magnolia in Bahrain to claim twice-to-beat bonus

Rain or Shine punished Magnolia from beyond the arc to secure a convincing 101-92 victory and claim the first twice-to-beat incentive in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup early Tuesday.

The Elasto Painters drilled 17 three-pointers throughout the contest, effectively shutting the lights out on the Hotshots in their showdown at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Bahrain.

Jhonard Clarito led on both ends by finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds while Caelan Tiongson buried four triples to end up with 14 markers laced with seven boards as they improved to 8-2 and claimed the playoff bonus. 

Clarito ignited Rain or Shine’s early onslaught, pouring in 16 of his total points in the first half as the streaking Elasto Painters seized a 53-47 lead at the break.

Rain or Shine never took its foot off the gas, with veteran guard Stanley Pringle drilling three triples in the third quarter to stretch the lead to a commanding 81-69 heading into the final period.

The Hotshots, though, put together a brave comeback stand  in the final frame with Zav Lucero and Rome Dela Rosa conniving for a quick 5-0 swing that cut the deficit to a single digit, 74-81. 

Veteran bruiser Ian Sangalang briefly pulled Magnolia within four, 85-81, after completing a three-point play. But Rain or Shine had an answer for every Hotshots rally, with Tiongson burying a triple to restore a 92-84 cushion.

Magnolia again closed the gap to five, 96-91, on four straight free throws fro Mark Barroca and Peter Alfaro, only for Gian Mamuyac to bury a clutch three before following it up with a jumper that pushed Rain or Shine ahead, 101-91, in the final 1:42.

Barroca paced Magnolia with 14 points, five assist, and four rebounds while Alfaro and Javi Gomez de Liaño chipped in 13 and 12 markers each in the loss that dropped them to a 6-4 card. 

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News