MAGNOLIA goes for the equalizer in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup finals against TNT on Wednesday in Game Four at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The Hotshots and Tropang Giga clash at 6 p.m.
Magnolia hopes to sustain the momentum following a hard-fought and emotional 106-98 win on Sunday that also drew some controversy.
Troy Rosario is not expected to suit up for Wednesday’s ballgame after dislocating his left pinkie from a hard fall after getting bumped by Jackson Corpuz.
Initially called a flagrant foul penalty one, the PBA upgraded the call to a flagrant foul penalty two, but Corpuz escaped suspension and was fined P20,000.
Shortly before the final buzzer, TNT team owner Manny V. Pangilinan expressed on Twitter his disappointment over the officiating of the match, describing it as the worst he has seen.
Poy Erram also made his dismay known on Instagram, accusing an unnamed Magnolia player of spitting at a TNT team member during Game Three.
Controversy aside though, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said that, at the end of the day, the goal is to win a game and he is not putting too much pressure on his wards to tie the series.
“Our goal naman is to win. May mga instances na masama ang laro namin o wala kami sa isang page. Sometimes talagang maganda rin laro nila katulad ng Game Two. Sobrang ganda ng shooting nila. It happens,” said Victolero.
Jayson Castro and the Tropang Giga try to bounce back, while Paul Lee and the Hosthots hope to sustain the momentum.
“Lahat naman kami, may pride eh. My players and of course, the other side, they also have pride. We just want to win and compete every single game. We want to win every single game,” said Victolero.
A key for Magnolia is containing Mikey Williams.
Williams lit up for 39 points and set a rookie record for most threes in a game with 10, but his efforts was not enough that night.
In Game Three, Magnolia applied pressure on Williams to no avail, with Victolero describing Williams as an NBA-caliber player.
Coach Chot Reyes says TNT is moving on and is not dwelling on the controversies in Sunday’s affair.
Meanwhile, the Davco-Best Player of the Conference award will be known before Game 4. Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, and Williams are the top candidates for the individual plum.
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