Like San Miguel, Magnolia also eyes an immaculate 3-0 record in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Veteran leaders Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang look to steer the Magnolia Hotshots to a 3-0 start as they face off with the equally unbeaten San Miguel Beermen in a high-stakes duel in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, April 16.
Gametime is set at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
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Fresh off an 83-71 victory over Converge, the Hotshots are looking to ride their momentum into one of the most anticipated early matchups of the All-Filipino conference.
The game will serve as a litmus test for Magnolia, a team raring to prove that its blend of veteran experience and youthful energy can match up with the championship-caliber Beermen.
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Barroca continues to orchestrate the offense with his trademark poise, while Sangalang provides a steady presence inside the paint. But it’s the emergence of dynamic young guns Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa that has given Magnolia a fresh dimension—one that could be critical in a clash of unbeaten squads.
Standing in their way is a San Miguel side powered by June Mar Fajardo and CJay Perez, and still reeling from last year’s Finals loss to Meralco. The Beermen are coming off a confidence-boosting 110-98 win over the Bolts in their last outing and are keen to keep their record perfect.
With both teams boasting 2-0 records, expect a fiery showdown between two of the league’s most balanced and battle-ready lineups. For Magnolia, it’s more than just a regular-season win on the line—it’s a chance to send a strong message: the Hotshots are here, and they’re ready to run with the league’s elite.
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(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]