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The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters leaned on a huge endgame run to defeat the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 109-105, in Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Down 91-100 with over five minutes in the game, the Painters got two inside conversions from Aaron Fuller and a three-pointer from Andrei Caracut to cut the deficit to 98-100.

Magnolia managed to extend the lead to 102-98 on two free throws by Rome dela Rosa, but Rain or Shine responded with a layup from Caracut and a three-pointer from Caelan Tiongson to take a 103-102 advantage.

Another basket from Fuller and a split free throw from Caracut widened the Painters’ advantage to 106-102. The Hotshots made their last push via a three-pointer from Zavier Lucero before ROS sealed the win with free throws from Jhonard Clarito.

Clarito finished the game with 20 points and five rebounds to be named Player of the Game as the Painters took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five quarterfinals series.

“Advantage is just willing to battle; we are trying to grind it out. Nung natirahan kami ng four-point shots, a team of weaker stuff will fold; it’s a testament to the character of the guys; we were able to overcome it,” said Painters head coach Yeng Guiao.

“Magnolia really surprised us because they tried to play our game and they were able to keep in step with us; ‘yun nga we made some big plays and we forced some stops,” he added.

Game 2 of the series is slated for Friday at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.