A 32-5 second quarter spelled the difference for the Magnolia Hotshots in a victorious out-of-town gig against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters during the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals.
The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots may have finally answered their import woes in a guy whose name was seemingly meant for the team--Jabari Bird.
The import impressed in his Hotshots debut with a 121-69 shellacking of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 2. The result at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex on Friday, September 27, tied their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series to one game apiece.
Bird dropped 22 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists.
Bird played his first PBA game after replacing former Hotshots reinforcement Rayvonte Rice, whose PBA stint only lasted for two games.
Calvin Abueva showed a vintage game behind a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds to earn the Player of the Game Honors.
It was a tight start for both teams as Rain or Shine held a 17-16 lead over Magnolia with a little over 5:21 seconds left in the opening frame.
From that point on, it was all Hotshots.
Magnolia ended the opening frame on a 18-6 run to take a 34-23 lead and further extended their domination with a 32-5 second quarter. They led by as many as 52 points en route to commanding victory.
The Hotshots thus avenged their series opener loss against the Elasto Painters with a more inspired play in their out-of-town gig.
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Meanwhile, Aaron Fuller finished with just 10 after suffering an apparent eye injury early in the second half.
Both teams are looking to inch closer to the semifinals with a pivotal decisive Game 3 set this Sunday, September 29 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.