James Yap needed just one triple to tie Dondon Hontiveros at No. 4 in the list of PBA players with the most career three-pointers made.
But practically the entire Rain or Shine team went on a three-point shooting spree as the Elasto Painters torched a tired Magnolia Pambansang Manok team, 93-80, for a commanding 2-0 lead in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
The other ROS gunners made their connections early as the E-Painters took the half at 50-41 before Yap got his needed conversions from the arc to eventually move past Hontiveros in the elite list.
Yap drilled in two treys in the second half to up his career total to 1,139. Up next for the two-time MVP winner is a chase to jump past Ronnie Magsanoc (1,171) at No. 3. Way ahead at No. 1 and No. 2 are Jimmy Alapag (1,250) and Allan Caidic (1,242).
But more importantly for Yap and the E-Painters was a follow-up to their 84-77 conquest of Magnolia in the series opener Friday.
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The E-Painters seek to tighten the noose on the embattled Hotshots in Game Three Tuesday also at the Big Dome.
Yap and his teammates shot well from afar, allowing them to lead by as many as 25 as Rain or Shine turned to a rout what was expected to be a tight Game Two.
After Yap made it 82-59 on his second three-pointer in the last 9:15 mark of the game, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero started to pull out his key players one after another, obviously to just save their energy for the next game.
For the record, Magnolia has played six games in the last 12 nights.
Aware that they're fresher, the E-Painters played aggressive basketball from the get-go, and they didn't go wrong.
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They were aggressive in making the stops, and the E-Painters insisted everything emanated from their defensive effort.
"Lahat nag-uumpisa sa depensa namin. At pagdating sa opensa, kung sino ang libre, siya ang titira," said Ed Daquiaog. "Eh ang ganda ng dinepensa namin, doon kami kumuha ng kumpiyansa."
Daquiaog was among the E-Painters who sizzled from the long court, firing away three treys and a total of 19 points that went on top of three rebounds and three assists.
The whole ROS team fired away 13 treys on a high 56-percent clip, with Norbert Torres going 4-of-4 in the first half.
For the Hotshots, sloppy game came with their weary legs.(SB)
Rain or Shine 93 - Daquioag 19, Torres 16, Nambatac 12, Norwood 10, Yap 8, Mocon 7, Rosales 6, Borboran 6, Ponferada 3, Alejandro 3, Maiquez 2, Belga 1, Onwubere 0.
Magnolia 80 - Sangalang 13, Herndon 13, Lee 12, Calisaan 10, Dela Rosa 7, Melton 5, Brondial 4, Ramos 3, Abundo 3, Reavis 2, Barroca 2, Gamalinda 2, Pascual 2, Jalalon 2.
Quarters: 19-18, 50-41, 73-57, 93-80.
