THE fact that Magnolia was still able to get back into the game after falling behind by 20 Sunday gives both sides the impression that they are really in for a battle.
The Beermen feel good they carved out a 103-95 win but not that of being threatened by the Hotshots’ third group in the windup.
For the Hotshots, there’s that positive feeling and perhaps momentum generated from their endgame run.
And it’s about striking again versus striking back as the combatants face off in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven title playoff at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
Tip-off is at 6:15 p.m. with the Beermen well reminded, even with all their firepower, they have to play four full quarters against a team like Magnolia.
“Kailangang maging composed at yung energy namin mas taasan pa kasi ang Magnolia, hindi talaga titigil hangga’t hindi natatapos ang laro,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent, anticipating a Magnolia fightback.
“I’m sure they’re going to come out strong and we will have to match their intensity and energy kasi as what you saw, in the last three minutes (of Game 1) they poured out their energy while we relaxed,” Gallent also said.
“When you play a tough team like Magnolia, you’ll have to play 48 minutes of basketball, because if you don’t, this is going to happen,” San Miguel slasher/gunner CJ Perez chimed in.
It was near disaster for the Beermen as they allowed the Hotshots to chip away with the Magnolia top guns, including Tyler Bey, already resting on the bench.
Obviously an issue for Magnolia in the series kickoff was fatigue.
But as guys like Aris Dionisio, Joseph Eriobu and Russell Escoto pushed the Beermen hard down the homestretch, there’s a chance this factors in or makes some difference for the next game.
“We’re still positive. This is a series, not a do-or-die (game). Ang importante ngayon is paano kami makakabalik,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
One thing that Victolero is sure they can’t afford is allowing San Miguel a salvo that the Beermen got in their second-quarter breakaway Sunday.
“41 points (in a quarter) are too much,” Victolero said.
But thanks to their shock troopers, they got back into the fight and more importantly gave an impression that there’s no pushover in this series.(SB)
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