Rain or Shine, the playoffs second seed pumped up all the more by its triumph Friday, will try to get going and send Magnolia Pambansang Manok to the ropes in the continuation of their PBA Philippine Cup Final Four showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
Game Two is at 6:30 p.m. with the burden of adjustments on the Hotshots following their rollercoaster ride leading to a 77-84 defeat in the opener of the best-of-seven series.
But obviously an issue now for Paul Lee and his teammates is the spring in their legs - or the lack of it, with Magnolia having played five games in the last 10 days.
"Dehado kami dyan because they're the No. 2 seeds at mahaba ang pahinga nila," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero ahead of the series opener.
It did unravel in Game One with the E-Painters pounding and pouncing on a winded Magnolia side in the payoff quarter en route to the seven-point victory.
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Coach Caloy Garcia's chargers proved in better shape and very well prepared, jumping the gun on the Hotshots then standing their ground in a pressing and attacking battle.
"Na-scout kami at napaghandaan kami," rued Victolero.
"Importante ngayon dito mapahaba namin yung series, at makabawi kami sa Game Two," he added.
But the E-Painters promise to stay focused on the task at hand, saying they will not sit on their laurels with just the Game One win.
"It's a great win but we must forget about it and think about Game Two right away. I know we won but it was a hard battle and for sure, they're going to do adjustments in Game Two," said the ROS bench chieftain.
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The E-Painters churned out an impressive team effort with their veterans and youth brigade contributing to their cause.
"We didn't respect some of their guys. Kailangang matuto kami doon. It's a long series; bawi kami next game," said Magnolia ace player Paul Lee.
Rookie Javee Mocon had a remarkable outing in his first PBA semis game, delivering double-double numbers with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Gabe Norwood (with 13 points) and Beau Belga (12) also chipped in double-digit productions, combining for 15 in ROS' fourth-quarter breakaway, even as Ed Daquioag wound up with 10. (SB)
