By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series between the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters is now even at two games a apiece after the former pulled even on Monday night with a 94-91 victory in Game Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Got back into the series with a victory in Game Three after opening the affair with back-to-back losses, the Hotshots continued with their charge back in the fourth game, with the team taking control early in the match and holding on tight in the finish.

Ian Sangalang led the Hotshots in the series-levelling victory, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Magnolia opened the contest with an 8-0 blast in the first two minutes and eventually built a 28-20 lead after the opening quarter.

Led by Mr. Sangalang, the Hotshots continued to pound on the Elasto Painters in the second canto, stretching their lead to as much as 21 points, 54-33, with two minutes to go at the half.

When the first-half smoke cleared, Magnolia was up, 56-37.

In the third frame, Rain or Shine tried to recover some real estate early on the lead of Maverick Ahanmisi and Mark Borboran.

But the Hotshots stood firm and maintained a safe distance throughout and held an 80-64 advantage heading into the payoff quarter.

Rain or Shine made a spirited push in the fourth quarter, cutting down its deficit to just a point, 92-91, with four seconds to go after a basket from Mr. Ahanmisi.

They would not be able to complete the comeback though as the Hotshots, through two free throws from Jio Jalalon with three seconds left, preserved the win.

Paul Lee supported Mr. Sangalang with 15 points with Mr. Jalalon adding 12.

Mark Barroca and Justine Melton each had 11 and Rafi Reavis and Rome Dela Rosa finished with 10 apiece for Magnolia.

James Yap led Rain or Shine with 24 markers with Javee Mocon adding 14.

“We just kept our belief in one another and never lost hope despite the comeback by Rain or Shine,” said player of the game Sangalang after the match, describing how it went for them in the end.

Game Five of the series is on Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Meanwhile, prior to the start of Game Four, a short prayer was said following the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that hit parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, around 5 p.m. yesterday.

Players of Magnolia and Rain or Shine were doing their shootaround when the quake occurred.

They were forced to halt the shootaround and go to a secured place.

League officials consulted with Big Dome officials after and when assured that the place was safe to play in, Game Four was given a thumbs-up.

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