Rain or Shine dumps Magnolia for 3rd straight win

Raymond Almazan vs Ian Sangalang. PBA IMAGES

Rain or Shine raced to the top four of the standings after brushing off league-leader Magnolia, 101-95, in the PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at Calasiao Sports Complex.

The Elasto Painters are all alone at the no. 4 spot of with a 5-3 card while the Hotshots absorbed their second straight loss to drop to third seed at 6-3.

Rain or Shine, which never trailed for the full 48 minutes, asserted its dominance as early as the second quarter going on a 16-4 run to end the first half with a 47-35 lead.

Ed Daquioag gave the Elasto Painters their biggest lead of the game at 21 points, 67-46, after he converted on a three-point play with 5:41 left in the third quarter.

Raymond Almazan led Rain or Shine with 23 points, six rebounds, and three blocks while James Yap, one of biggest stars of the Magnolia franchise, added 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists for the Elasto Painters.

Gabe Norwood and Maverick Ahanmisi both had 12 points for Rain or Shine while also grabbing a combined 15 rebounds.

Aldrech Ramos paced the Hotshots with 27 points.