RAIN or Shine stopped Magnolia's rampage and stretched its own run with a 113-110 decision in their PBA Commissioner's Cup road showdown at the Aquilino Pimentel International Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro.
The Elasto Painters stoked the fire of their run with import sub Tree Treadwell, sustaining their rally with a third straight win after five successive losses.
Treadwell, a replacement to Dajuan Summers, continued to provide ROS a push, this time collecting 30 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists in a near triple-double job.
He capped his hulking effort with a crucial offensive rebound from a missed free throw by Andrei Caracut in the last 10 seconds as the Elasto Painters thwarted the Hotshots' second-half charge and thus dealt Magnolia its first defeat in eight starts in PBA Season 48.
It was actually the first loss for coach Chito Victolero and his chargers dating back to the preseason PBA OnTour.
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The Hotshots, however, remained the tournament pacesetter, looking well on the way to a safe passage to the Top 4, and would be recipient of a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters.
Meanwhile, coach Yeng Guiao and his crew have clawed their way into the thick of things after a woeful 0-5 season start. They gained solo eighth spot, relegating Terrafirma to ninth at 2-5.
The E-Painters enjoyed control most of the way, but had to repel Magnolia's fierce chase.
From 12 down, the Hotshots came to within one on a thunderous slam by Tyler Bey in the crunch.
But Caracut made it a two-point lead on a split charities with 10 ticks left.
As Caracut missed the last end of his free throws off a foul by Mark Barroca, Treadwell came through with his biggest effort in snaring the offensive rebound.
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In the end, the Elasto Painters pulled through and broomed away the efforts of Bey (30 points), Paul Lee (22), Barroca (20) and Jio Jalalon (13).(SB)
