Rain or Shine defeated NLEX 120-104 on Friday night at the Philsports Arena to punch their ticket into the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

After scoring 67 points in the middle quarters to blow open the game and win their sixth conference game (6-5), the Elasto Painters advanced together with San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, and Magnolia to the first round of the playoffs.

The Road Warriors were defeated by RoS, 5-5, and the Kings were able to secure the second and final twice-to-beat quarterfinals advantage.

With eighteen points, Beau Belga headed the well-rounded attack. With four assists, nine rebounds, and 17 points, Santi Santillan nearly had a double-double.

Shaun Ildefonso scored 14 points, including the game-winning two-handed jam, while Jhonard Clarito finished with 15 points and six boards.

In addition, the club that welcomed back Keith Datu after he missed some time due to an MCL injury saw 12 points each from Andrei Caracut and Gian Mamuyac.

In contrast, Robert Bolick led the Road Warriors with 38 points.

It is now needed for NLEX to defeat Barangay Ginebra on Sunday in order to advance directly to the quarterfinals.

The Scores

Rain or Shine 120 – Belga 18, Santillan 17, Clarito 15, Ildefonso 14, Caracut 12, Mamuyac 12, Asistio 7, Datu 6, Nocum 6, Borboran 5, Concepcion 3, Demusis 3, Norwood 2, Belo 0, Paredes 0.

NLEX 104 – Bolick 38, Semerad 18, Rodger 9, Valdez 9, Nieto 8, Fajardo 6, Anthony 6, Nermal 6, Miranda 2, Amer 2, Pascual 0, Herndon 0, Marcelo 0.

Quarter scores: 30-23; 62-43; 97-74; 120-104

Meanwhile, at the same venue, MAGNOLIA won the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday, 108-100, after overcoming a valiant effort by Terrafirma and hot-shooting Stephen Holt.

With 54 seconds remaining, the Hotshots embarked on a stunning 7-0 run in the last two minutes, highlighted by five straight from the injured Mark Barroca, to defeat Dyip 106-98.

Magnolia, who formally joined San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals, ended a two-game losing streak with the win.

Ian Sangalang scored 23 points in total, including the game-winning basket with 2:03 remaining that set off Magnolia’s late charge.
Barroca scored 21 points, and Rafi Reavis, the team’s seasoned captain, contributed significantly for the Hotshots with a double-double of 13 rebounds and 10 points.

Magnolia still has a game left on Sunday against TNT Tropang Giga, where they may improve to 6-4 overall.

With 13 points in the fourth quarter, Holt helped Terrafirma overcome a 66-53 third-quarter lead and pose a danger at 99-98 thanks to his third and last three-pointer of the game. However, the defeat marred his season-high 32-point performance.

The top rookie choice from the previous season also contributed eight assists for Dyip, who also received 14 points from Juami Tiongson and 13 apiece from Javi Gomez De Liano and Isaac Go (10 rebounds).

After tying Northport in the elimination round with a 5–6 record, Terrafirma will now wait to see if they will advance to the no. 8 quarterfinals and maybe compete in the playoffs.

The Scores

Magnolia 108 – Sangalang 23, Barroca 21, Lee 17, Reavis 10, Eriobu 8, Balanza 8, Jalalon 7, Dela Rosa 5, Dionisio 5, Tratter 4.

Terrafirma 100 – Holt 32, Tiongson 14, Go 13, Gomez de Liano 13, Cahilig 9, Alolino 7, Carino 7, Sangalang 4, Ramos 1, Calvo 0, Camson 0.

Quarter scores: 28-16; 50-44; 80-71; 108-100.