Beermen aim to break Hotshots' hearts on Valentine's Day as they shoot for their 29th title.
History is on San Miguel’s side as the Beermen go for the jugular against Magnolia in Game Six of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.
In the last 25 years, SMB is 8-0 in the finals when holding a 3-2 lead in a best-of-seven series, according to the league's chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
On the other hand, the Hotshots lost 13 times when they dropped Game Five following a 2-2 deadlock.
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If these are indications, then a San Miguel conquest of Magnolia for its record-extending 29th trophy – and first for coach Jorge Gallent – is imminent.
The Beermen’s local crew are expected to kick into high gear again as they look to deal the Hotshots a Valentine's Day heartbreaker later at 7:30 p.m.
In SMB's Game Five win, Jericho Cruz carried the bulk of the scoring load as he and Simon Enciso accounted for 13 of the Beermen's 16 three-pointers while June Mar Fajardo shook off a hurting calf to come up with 18 points and 15 rebounds as import Bennie Boatwright struggled to produce his usual numbers due to counterpart Tyler Bey's defense.
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But they know they could not just count out the Hotshots, who are capable of coming up with the answers as they have shown in their emphatic Games Three and Four retaliation that allowed them to tie the series.
“Job’s not finished yet,” said Cruz.
Bey and Magnolia's local unit led by Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang, Jio Jalalon and Paul Lee are expected to deliver another furious resistance as they fight for their own shot at the crown.
The crucial match will air on RPTV, PBA Rush and the Pilipinas Live app.