ANTIPOLO — Ian Sangalang rued Magnolia’s wasted chance to end the semifinal series after falling to Rain or Shine in Game Six.
The Hotshots still had a chance to close the series out with the game tied at 62 entering the fourth quarter, but folded under pressure as the Elasto Painters connected from deep, with sophomore guard Rey Nambatac nailing four triples in the payoff period.
"Breaks of the game lang. Talo kami sa aggressiveness. Mas pinakita nila na gusto nila manalo," said Sangalang, who had 19 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
"Medyo nabigla kami sa ginawa nila dahil na-shoot nila yung crucial shots nila. Yun ang ikinatalo namin. Sobrang naging agressive sila."
Magnolia now plays a tough series decider on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
"Sinubukan namin na i-counter, pero wala eh, hindi kami nakalusot. Pero good thing lang is meron pa kaming isang chance," he said. "Ito yung binigay, so kailangan talaga naming laruin. Ito yung alam namin na gusto namin kasi pag crucial games, alam ko lahat ng teammates ko maglalaro ng maganda."
Sangalang vowed to learn from this setback as he promises to give it his all to book an all-Filipino conference rematch against four-time champion San Miguel.
"Magiging aggressive lang ako. Laging nasa isip ko na maging positive anuman yung maging result ng game. Tiwala ako. Tiwala lang ako sa coaching staff at tiwala ako sa mga teammates ko," he said.
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