As expected, this is shaping up to be an exciting series!
If Game One would be a hint of things to come, San Miguel and Magnolia – including their respective supporters – should expect that the ongoing battle for the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup diadem would not be a breeze.
The Beermen learned the lesson the hard way after they nearly saw their 20-point buffer evaporate en route to sealing a 103-95 Game One win over the Chicken Timplados Hotshots in the best-of-seven series opener last Friday.
Just when San Miguel thought it set up a straightforward win when it struck with a commanding 41-20 attack in the second quarter, Magnolia did not just roll over and die.
Slowly, the Hotshots chipped away at the seemingly insurmountable 94-74 lead in the fourth period and before the Beermen knew it, their lead was trimmed to five, 100-95, thanks in large part to the likes of Joseph Eriobu and Russel Escoto.
With this in mind, SMB mentor Jorge Gallent is bracing for a Hotshots fightback as their foes eye to level the contest in Game Two at 6:15 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“I’m sure they are going to come out strong. We will have to match their intensity and energy,” said Gallent.
[RELATED STORY: SMB cannot afford to succumb to complacency, says CJ Perez]
While the Beermen are keen to avoid a repeat of their Game One hiccup, the Hotshots, for their part, are looking to build on their inspiring fightback that nearly allowed them to steal the match.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero chose to focus on the positives – his charges refused to give up even when the odds were stacked against them.
[RELATED STORY: Chito Victolero laments San Miguel's 41-point second quarter that doomed Hotshots in Game 1]
“We played very good defense in the second half, and titingnan namin kung ano pang puwedeng gawin doon,” said Victolero.
Game Two will air on RPTV, A2Z, PBA Rush and the Pilipinas Live app.