A seat in the penultimate round of the PBA Governors' Cup awaits Magnolia or Rain or Shine as they battle for the last time in the quarterfinals.
Magnolia and Rain or Shine lock horns in the decisive Game 5 of their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series at the Ynares Center Antipolo on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
The Hotshots cruised to a Game 4 victory, 129-100, thanks to a 25-point explosion from veteran Paul Lee and a well-balanced attack from the rest of the squad, to force the do-or-die battle in their best-of-five showdown.
[WATCH: Magnolia forces do-or-die game after demolishing Rain or Shine in Game 4 | PBA Highlights]
It was actually the Elasto Painters who drew first blood in Game 1, 109-105.
However, the Hotshots responded with an emphatic 121-69 blowout in Game 2, a contest that saw Rain or Shine import Aaron Fuller exit early being poked in the eye by Magnolia big man Ian Sangalang.
Doubtful to play in Game 3 two days later, Fuller made a heroic return, leading Rain or Shine to a thrilling 111-106 overtime win. The import logged nearly 38 minutes of action, providing a huge boost to his team’s morale.
[RELATED STORY: Aaron Fuller source of 'inspiration, encouragement' of Rain or Shine in Game 3 win]
But Magnolia came back swinging in Game 4 where the Hotshots outgunned the Elasto Painters, 36-18, in the second quarter, setting the tone for the rout and forcing the rubber match.
Magnolia will once again rely on its core of veterans — Lee, Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva — alongside its import Jabari Bird as it tries to impose its presence against Rain or Shine reinforcement Fuller, big man Beau Belga and the youthful Jhonard Clarito, Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut and Gian Mamuyac.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]