RAIN or Shine rallied back from a nine point deficit to escape Magnolia, 109-105, to take Game 1 of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Elasto Painters outscored the Hotshots, 18-5, in the final six minutes to erase a 91-100 deficit and pulled off the come-from behind win.

Jhonard Clarito finished with 20 points and sank two free throws in the final 3.9 seconds for the marginal count as Paul Lee’s attempt for a game-tying four-point shot missed its mark at the buzzer.

“A team of a weaker stuff could have folded up. It’s a testament to the character of the guys, you’re able to comeback out of that,” said coach Yeng Guiao in the post-game presser.

“Our character is being tested, but at least for now, we passed the test.”

Up by two entering the fourth, Rain or Shine suddenly found itself down by 10 after Magnolia began connecting from long distance behind the guns of Jerrick Ahanmisi and Aris Dionisio.

The Elasto Painters were still down by nine after a Marc Barroca basket before they began to make their comeback.

Import Aaron Fuller and Andrei Caracut led the Rain or Shine assault before rookie Caelan Tiongson hit a huge three pointer to put the team in front for good, 103-102 with 1:25 remaining.

The Hotshots were just within 106-105 on a three pointer by sophomore Zav Lucero and had a chance to tie the game after Clarito could only split his charity for a two-point Rain or Shine lead.

But Barroca missed on a side jumper and Lee’s pass was too strong for Lucero, leading to two free throws by Clarito for the final count.

Fuller had another 20-20 performance for Rain or Shine with 24 points and 20 rebounds, Adrian Nocum added 14, while Leonard Santillan and Gian Mamuyac each had 12 for the Elasto Painters.

Guiao said the Hotshots’ long distance shooting made the difference and almost led to a Rain or Shine loss.

“Yung mga four-point shots nila, fantastic, insane percentages. Parang to shoot 50 percent from four points, that’s amazing, that’s insane. I just don’t know if they’ll keep repeating that,” said Guiao of Magnolia’s impressive 6-of-12 shooting from 27 feet.

Game 2 will be played on Friday at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.

The scores:

Rain or Shine 109 — Fuller 24, Clarito 20, Nocum 14, Santillan 12, Mamuyac 12, Caracut 9, Tiongson 9, Lemetti 5, Belga 2, Datu 2, Asistio 0.

Magnolia 105 — Rice 16, Lee 15, Ahanmisi 15, Barroca 12, Lucero 11, Sangalang 11, Dela Rosa 8, Dionisio 7, Abueva 6, laput 2, Eriobu 2, Mendoza 0, Reavis 0.

Quarters: 19-16; 51-50; 82-80; 109-105.