MAGNOLIA expects nothing but a difficult game against Alaska on Saturday in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation gym.
The Hotshots, coming off a close 103-100 win over NLEX, gun for win No. 2 after three games in the Clark bubble in their 6:45 p.m. encounter with the winless and injury-plagued Aces.
That Magnolia win was highlighted by Paul Lee’s four-point play in the pivotal stretch last Wednesday.
Despite Alaska’s 0-2 win-loss record, Magnolia Coach Chito Victolero is wary of an Aces’ fight back.
“I think it is very hard and tightly for us. There will be a sense of urgency because Alaska is coming from a two-game losing streak and of course they will do better,” Victolero said. “It’s very hard to suffer a losing streak here in the bubble.”
Magnolia’s pesky guards Jio Jalalon and Chris Banchero joined forces against the Road Warriors and combined for 38 points, while Lee poured in 18 points to help the Hotshots crawl from a 22-point deficit.
How to watch #PBABubble games LIVE?
How to watch PBA games LIVE?
Although it lost Kevin Racal to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in last Sunday’s opener against TNT Tropang Giga, Alaska remains determined.
“Magnolia is always tough. They have guards that pressure and make things hard for their opponents so handling that is crucial,” said Alaska Coach Jeffrey Cariaso, referring to Magnolia’s backcourt of Mark Barroca, Jalalon, Lee, Banchero and Justin Melton.
“We hope to contain both Ian Sangalang and Paul Lee. What I want is for us to be better. To play more consistently the way we know we can,” added Cariaso, noting Maverick Ahanmisi is arriving in the bubble only this week because of quarantine protocols.
“He [Ahanmisi] hasn’t practiced with the team, so he’s not ready yet. We shall see this coming Tuesday game,” Cariaso said.
Alaska lost to TNT (100-105) last Sunday and Meralco (81-93) last Wednesday.
Blackwater (1-1 win-loss), meanwhile, shoots for its second victory when it tangles with struggling NLEX (0-2) in the 4 p.m. match.
After beating Northport in their first game (96-89), the Elite couldn’t stop Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, losing to a 99-103 defeat last Thursday.