The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters take their turn in trying to end the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots’ undefeated streak, as the two teams collide in Montalban. Will Rain or Shine stun the Hotshots? Or, will Magnolia chop up the Elasto Painters for its seventh win in the conference?
Catch this game live on Sunday, May 18. 2025 at 07:30 PM pm, Manila time.
Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (6-0)
Projected Starting Five:
- Paul Lee
- Mark Barroca
- Jerom Lastimosa
- Zavier Lucero
- Ian Sangalang
Who’s stopping the Hotshots? The Meralco Bolts are certainly not the answer to that question after they got RKO’d by the Hotshots via a score of 119-92 last Wednesday. That’s the sixth win in a row to start the conference for Magnolia, which got a vintage performance from Paul Lee.
The former UE Red Warriors star went off for 27 points, including four makes from behind the second arc. Meanwhile, Zav Lucero and James Laput each had 11 points. Magnolia’s offense has been on fire this conference, especially of late. The Hotshots have scored no fewer than 117 points in any of their last three outings. But they can also play defense, having held opponents to just 95 points over the same stretch.
The Hotshots are deep, move the ball well and have plenty of solid options on offense, as exemplified in the Meralco game, and that could prove to be too much for another Magnolia opponent in Rain or Shine this weekend.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-2)
Projected Starting Five:
- Gian Mamuyac
- Adrian Nocum
- Jhonard Clarito
- Leonard Santillan
- Beau Belga
With Yeng Guiao, you just don’t know what you’re going to get. This Sunday, the Rain or Shine hopes to stun Magnolia and become the first team to beat the Hotshots in the conference. The Elasto Painters carry some momentum into the showdown versus Magnolia, as they are coming off a 120-106 demolition of the Blackwater Bossing on May 7.
With over 10 days of rest, Rain or Shine has fresh legs they can count on to keep up with the Hotshots. If Magnolia wants a shootout, the Elasto Painters could be down to that, given the fact that Rain or Shine has three games where they scored at least 113 points. IN the Blackwater game, Leonard Santillan erupted for 28 points while the ageless Beau Belga added 21. Rain or Shine’s frontcourt could be the difference for the Elasto Painters because of its blend of size, youth and experience.
Picks
Spread: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (+10.0)
Over/Under: Over (200.0)
