As I settled in to watch the Magnolia Hotshots face off against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in this crucial PBA matchup, I couldn't help but reflect on a recent comment from a league insider that's been circulating. "If ever we reach the finals, then mga baka December (maka-join sa Terrafirma)," he'd mentioned, referencing how deep into the year the PBA season now extends and how teams like Terrafirma might benefit from this extended schedule. This observation felt particularly relevant tonight, watching two teams battling not just for immediate victory but for positioning in what promises to be a marathon season.
The first quarter unfolded with Magnolia establishing their defensive identity early, something I've always admired about coach Chito Victolero's system. They held ROS to just 18 points in the opening period while putting up 25 themselves. Paul Lee, who I believe is one of the most underrated guards in the league, came out aggressive with 8 points in the quarter, including two three-pointers that really set the tone. What impressed me most was how Magnolia's defense disrupted ROS's offensive flow - they forced 5 turnovers in just the first quarter alone, converting them into 7 easy points. On the ROS side, Beau Belga was trying to establish his presence inside, but Magnolia's double teams were coming quickly and effectively.
By halftime, Magnolia had built a 52-41 lead, and honestly, the game felt like it was slipping away from Rain or Shine. Their shooting percentages told the story - just 38% from the field compared to Magnolia's 47%. I've noticed throughout this season that when ROS struggles from beyond the arc, they tend to have difficulty generating easy baskets, and tonight was proving no different. They were 4-of-15 from three-point range in the first half, while Magnolia was a more efficient 6-of-13. Ian Sangalang was dominating the paint for Magnolia with 12 points and 7 rebounds already, demonstrating the footwork that makes him, in my opinion, the most skilled big man in the post when he's healthy.
The third quarter brought the comeback attempt I was expecting from Rain or Shine. Coach Yeng Guiao must have given one of his legendary fiery speeches during halftime because ROS came out with renewed energy. They went on a 12-4 run to start the second half, cutting the lead to just three points at 56-53. Rookie Shaun Ildefonso, who I've been high on since his college days, sparked the run with two consecutive baskets and some pesky defense. This is where the game really turned into the back-and-forth battle we anticipated. The lead changed hands five times during the quarter, with neither team able to establish clear control. Jio Jalalon was everywhere for Magnolia during this stretch - his stat line of 15 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals through three quarters doesn't fully capture his impact on both ends.
As we moved into the fourth quarter, the game tightened up considerably. With about seven minutes remaining, ROS had clawed back to take a slim 78-76 lead behind the scoring of Anton Asistio, who hit two crucial three-pointers in the period. This is where championship experience matters, and Magnolia showed why they've been in these situations before. They went on a decisive 10-2 run over the next three minutes, with Paul Lee and Calvin Abueva making big plays on both ends. Abueva finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, but his defensive versatility - guarding multiple positions in crunch time - was what really stood out to me.
The final minutes saw Magnolia executing their half-court offense with precision, burning clock and getting good looks. They shot an impressive 52% in the fourth quarter compared to ROS's 41%, which ultimately made the difference. The game ended 98-92 in favor of Magnolia, but the score doesn't fully reflect how competitive this matchup was. Looking at the key player stats, Paul Lee led all scorers with 24 points, while Jio Jalalon finished with a double-double of 17 points and 10 assists. For Rain or Shine, Rey Nambatac had 20 points but struggled with his efficiency, shooting just 7-of-19 from the field.
Watching this game, I kept thinking about that comment about the season extending into December and how it might affect teams differently. For a deep, veteran team like Magnolia, the long season might actually work to their advantage as they can manage minutes and keep players fresh. For younger teams still finding their identity like Rain or Shine, the extended schedule could either provide valuable development time or lead to fatigue as the season progresses. What's clear from tonight's performance is that both teams are still working out their rotations and strategies for what promises to be a grueling campaign. The PBA's extended calendar is definitely changing how teams approach player management and development, and I suspect we'll see more teams taking a long-term view rather than pushing for early-season results. Tonight's game gave us a glimpse of two teams at different stages of figuring out that balance.
