Magnolia rallies to beat Rain or Shine in Game 7, books finals rematch with SMB

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia came back from 17 points down to shock Rain or Shine, 63-60, in overtime in Game 7 and book a return trip to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Sunday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Rafi Reavis came up big with eight points, 20 rebounds and three blocks while Ian Sangalang added 11 points and 15 rebounds to power the Hotshots, who also overcame a 0-2 hole in the semifinals series.

“We just found ways to win. We were down by 17 and I don’t know how we were able to come back,” Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said in Filipino. “My players were just resilient. They did not want to give up. 

Magnolia arranged a finals date with defending champion San Miguel in a rematch of last year’s All-Filipino title showdown won by the Beermen in five games.

With the Elasto Painters down, 60-62, in OT, James Yap had the chance to tie but he missed a tough driving layup against two Magnolia defenders.

Reavis gave the Hotshots a 61-58 edge with 1:16 remaining and split his charities to put his team up, 62-60, with 8.1 ticks to go.

Game 1 of the PBA Finals tips off on Wednesday, 7 p.m. All games will be played at Araneta Coliseum.

Yap paced the Painters with 14 points while Gabe Norwood added 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Both teams shot just 26 percent from the field. The two teams combined to set the all-time mark for the lowest scoring overtime game in the history of the PBA playoffs.