A REPEAT for San Miguel or revenge for Magnolia?
The Beermen and Hotshots relive their rivalry as they clash in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Game One starts at 7 p.m.
The reigning champion Beermen dominated the Hotshots in last year’s All-Filipino Cup finals, 4-1, to win the season-opening meet for the fourth straight time.
Although Magnolia remains the underdog going in the best-of-seven series, coach Chito Victolero likes his team’s chances this time.
“Nag-mature din kami. We gained a lot of experience from that Philippine Cup finals last year. And last conference (Governors’ Cup), we won a championship. I think malaking bagay yun, the experience and maturity nung grupo na yun,” said Victolero.
Except for rookie Michael Calisaan, Victolero noted the core of the Hotshots’ champion team remains intact.
The problem is, San Miguel, eyeing a record fifth straight Philippine Cup crown, has become even stronger.
Aside from its feared ‘Death 5’ of June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross, the Beermen have added former top rookie pick Christian Standhardinger and three-time scoring champion Terrence Romeo to their bench.
“Humina sila,” said Victolero of the Beermen in jest.
“Wala naman kaming magagawa doon. We just have to prepare hard (for the finals). Laban lang.”
San Miguel counterpart Leo Austria agrees with Victolero about the Hotshots being a different team from the one they’ve beaten last season.
He said the series is 50-50.
“Pagdating sa championship walang malakas, walang mahina,” he said. “Palagay ko we will be having a good series.”
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