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Rain or Shine played with zest in the third period to dig itself out of a hole and then found another gear in the final frame to outlast Magnolia, 113-103, in the deciding Game 5 on Saturday night and clinch a berth in the Governors’ Cup semifinals. Andrei Caracut hit one big shot after another down the stretch to keep the Hotshots at bay at Ynares Center in Antipolo City, ultimately sealing the Elasto Painters’ entry into the Final Four. Caracut had 12 points and four rebounds to preserve the heroics of import Aaron Fuller, who showed the way for Rain or Shine with 26 points and nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Jhonard Clarito and Adrian Nocum had 17 points each as the time-built, overachieving Elasto Painters, who trailed by as many as 12 points early, continued to march on in these playoffs. Import Jabari Bird had 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Calvin Abueva added 16 and nine. Jerrick Ahanmisi chipped in 15 points while Ian Sangalang 12, but with Paul Lee and Mark Barroca limited to just single digits, and Aris Dionisio fouling out with plenty of basketball left in the final period, the Hotshots, perennial bridesmaids of the league, crashed out of title contention. Not helping Magnolia’s cause was Zavier Lucero’s continued absence. He missed Game 4 and the clincher after going through concussion protocol following a head injury late in the Game 3 overtime thriller also at the same venue.
