MANILA – Magnolia Hotshots hopes to sustain its energy as it targets a 2-0 lead against San Miguel Beermen in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals tonight at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero said he hopes his players will not be tired heading into tonight’s matchup after rallying from 20 points down in their 105-103 win over Beermen on Friday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“All credit to the players kasi down kami by as much as 20, ’di sila nag-give up,” he said. “That’s the character na nabuo ko sa insistence sa experiences namin.”
“[We hope] ma-sustain namin itong energy na ito with the one-day prep for Sunday’s game. Sana iyong hinabol naming malaki, ’di napagod players namin doon,” he added. “We know San Miguel will always bounce back.”
Ian Sangalang, who top-scored for Hotshots in Game 1 with career-high 29 points, said they will still bear the “underdog mentality” against Beermen in the hopes of having another good showing.
“Nakatulong iyon (underdog mentality). Unang-una, nothing to lose kami,” Sangalang said. “Hindi kami susuko. Sabi ko nga, kahit lumamang sila, lalaro lang talaga kami kung ano makakaya naming gawin.”
“Iyong team namin, ’di gi-give up iyan. Kahit madami iyong lamang ng San Miguel, lalaban pa rin kami,” he added. “Kahit alam naming malakas iyong San Miguel, iyong puso namin ilalaban namin.”
This is the eighth time Beermen and Hotshots are facing each other in a PBA Finals series. Their last encounter was in the 2013 Governors’ Cup, which Hotshots won./PN
