By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Magnolia Chicken Timplados ended the playoff hopes of the Rain or Shine Elastopainters after annihilating them, 118-87, in the elimination phase of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup.
Seeking to clinch the tournament’s no. 2 spot and finish the eliminations on a high note, the Chicken Timplados showed no mercy against the struggling Rain or Shine and immediately put them through the grinder as early as the first quarter.
Jerrick Ahanmisi once again came alive when Magnolia needed him the most and torched Rain or Shine with his efficient three-point shooting.
Every time Rain or Shine attempted to cut their deficit, Ahanmisi answered back with a barrage of bombs from the rainbow country and top-scored the Chicken Timplados with 19 points.
Magnolia rose to a quick double-digit lead after the first quarter and stepped on the gas pedal as the game progressed led by the stellar outing of Jio Jalalon who recorded a triple-double stat-line of 16 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds.
However, Rain or Shine banked on their third quarter surge and tallied their best scoring period with 26 points led by the post-scoring of forward Leonard Santillan.
After cutting Magnolia’s lead to 16 points, the trio of Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva, and Mark Barroca answered the call for Magnolia and spearheaded a fiery final canto that left Rain or Shine behind for good.
The veteran trio mounted a huge 20-9 scoring rally in the first six minutes of the game and ballooned their lead which made it hard for the rest of Rain or Shine to respond.
“We just need to remind them how important yung ginagawa namin. We have to do it consistently ‘yung depensa saka execution namin sa opensa.” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero.
With the huge win, the Chicken Timplados racked up their sixth win in a row and rose to a 7-3 record while Rain or Shine tasted an unusual playoff elimination with a 4-7 record.
