MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia coach Chito Victolero described new import Jabari Bird's last-minute arrival as "heaven sent" as the former Boston Celtics guard provided the energy and hustle to help the Hotshots come away with a one-sided 121-69 dismantling of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Friday in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Bird served as the team's fourth import for the conference after Glenn Robinson III, Shabazz Muhammad and Rayvonte Rice.

The 30-year-old Bird came in to replace Rice, who lasted just two games for the Hotshots.

"(Bird's a) Big factor, (it's) not the numbers, but it's all about the aura, the positive aura and positive vibes of Jabe," Victolero said, shortly after the Hotshots dismantled the Elasto Painters with their 52-point rout.

"I told him, we need his contribution on the little things, on defense, rebounding and bring the positive energy which he delivered in the game."

Bird did tat and more as he logged in a double-double output of 28 points and 13 rebounds, providing the energy for the Hotshots to send the game back to square one after dropping Game 1, 109-105.

The amiable Magnolia mentor said he had to burn the phone lines after seeing Rice's underwhelming performance where he just averaged 10.5 points on 8-of-34 shooting in two games.

"I think he's the best available (foreign) talent we can get in Asia. So that was a factor," shared the 48-year-old Victolero, who is determined to end Magnolia's six-year title drought this conference.

"I tried to find an import in Asia because we don't want to get an import who will still come from the U.S. It would too late na due to many requirements we need to do. He's heaven sent."

Bird is a second generation PBA import after his father Carl, who first played for Royal Tru-Orange (now San Miguel Beer) during the 1976 season.

His father once scored 73 points, the first PBA import to breach the 70-point mark in a game.

The Hotshots shot 58.6 percent from the floor and dominated the boards, 67-37, while playing against Elasto Painters side that didn't have import Aaron Fuller for the last three quarters.

Fuller, a tower of strength for ROS all conference long, lasted just 11 minutes after getting accidentally poked in his left eye Magnolia big man Ian Sangalang.