MAGNOLIA Chicken Timplados looks to sustain its unbeaten run to open the PBA 48th season Commissioner’s Cup when it tangles with NLEX on Friday night at the Philsports Arena.
The Hotshots stake their 4-0 win-loss slate against the Road Warriors at 8 p.m.
Magnolia returns to the court, 11 days after frustrating Barangay Ginebra by overcoming a 26-point deficit to win, 93-91. Tyler Bey led the charge and finished with 31 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
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It will be a battle of defense versus offense with Magnolia giving up the least points so far in the conference with an average of 89.9 a game while NLEX has scored the most with 110.5 per outing, although it was posted with former import
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero wants consistency with his team on both defense and offense, and doesn’t want a repeat of their performance against Ginebra where they were forced to mount a big comeback after a flat start.
“Actually, nagawan na namin ng paraan ‘yun in our game against NorthPort but bumalik na naman (against Ginebra). We just try to remind our players about starting strong and finishing stronger. Kailangan ng reminders and run our system,” said Victolero.
One of the challenges in Magnolia’s bid to maintain its undefeated slate is how to deal with NLEX import Stokley Chaffee Jr., who will play his first game with his team on Friday.
The Road Warriors decided to part ways with Robinson after four games for, according to the team, taking an unplanned vacation and skipping practices. The change also came days after he figured in a verbal exchange with NorthPort team manager Pido Jarencio, who was fined P20,000 and was given a stern warning by the league for his threats against the import.
NLEX eyes back-to-back
NLEX will also be seeking a second straight win after its 112-104 victory over NorthPort last week.
The first game will see two teams trying to get back on the winning track as NorthPort takes on TNT at 4 p.m.
After their solid start, the Batang Pier have lost two straight games including that defeat to the Road Warriors. NorthPort suffered a 112-74 defeat over Magnolia last November 17.
TNT also wants to get back on track after its 109-95 defeat to Meralco last November 26, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson serving as the lone bright spot for the Tropang Giga after notching 47 points.
TNT, NorthPort, and NLEX are actually in the middle of the pack as they share sixth place on 2-2 win-loss records.
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