ANTIPOLO – Ian Sangalang has a lot to celebrate.
Sangalang won his fourth PBA title as Magnolia claimed the Governors’ Cup, winning the series 4-2 against Alaska, on the eve of his birthday.
“Sobrang sarap kasi parang doble, doble, doble, doble lahat ng selebrasyon. Birthday mo, champion ka, Christmas. Parang natapos na ‘yung gabi, lahat ng gusto mong gawin, magagawa mo kasi nakuha mo na.
“In short, sobrang sarap,” said Sangalang, who turned 27 on Thursday.
The championship ended a long wait for Sangalang, whose last title came in 2014 when the then-San Mig Coffee won a Grand Slam.
In Game Six, Sangalang had 16 points on 8 of 10 shooting. The former San Sebastian cager already had 10 points in the first half as the Hotshots took a 60-42 lead.
“Itong conference na ‘to, hindi rin namin ineexpect na aabot kami dito kasi sobrang bibigat ng mga kalaban namin. Naniwala kami sa isa’t isa, coaching staff, sa mga players, group of circle namin, naniwala kami. Tuluy-tuloy kaming naniwala hanggang itong gabing ito,” said Sangalang.
Sangalang also paid tribute to Magnolia coach Chito Victolero for bringing the title back to the Purefoods franchise.
“Si coach Chito, siya ‘yung taong hindi gumigive-up. Kahit sino ‘yung makatapat niya, kahit sino makalaban niya, alam mong ready siya lagi. Like ‘yung nag-semis kami, nag-finals kami, sobrang laki ng adjustment niya at improvement niya sa team na ‘to,” said Sangalang.
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