PBA: Pressure is now on ROS – Ian
Credit to Author: Tempo Online| Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2019 22:00:36 +0000
by Jonas Terrado
Now the pressure is on Rain or Shine as far as Ian Sangalang is concerned after playing the heroic role in Magnolia’s Game 3 victory Tuesday that could turn the tide in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series.
Sangalang tallied 10 of his 16 points in the final six minutes to help the Hotshots secure an 85-74 win Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in a win that prevented them from falling into a 0-3 hole and going into the Holy Week break brimming with confidence.
Though Rain or Shine still leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1, Sangalang feels the momentum has shifted to Magnolia’s side.
“Yung momentum nasa amin, kahit papaano nabigyan namin sila ng pressure,” Sangalang said.
“Wala silang pressure nung first two games, parang basketball, basketball lang sila. Ngayon nabigyan namin sila ng kahit konting pressure.”
Game 4 is slated Monday at the Big Dome and Magnolia is keen on capitalizing the six-day break after playing seven games in 15 days.
The stretch began in the final game of the elimination round when the Hotshots clinched the No. 6 seed with a lopsided victory over the NLEX Road Warriors last April 3.
That followed with a hard-fought three-game quarterfinal series triumph over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as Magnolia took Games 2 and 3 by an average margin of 21 points.
Magnolia was outplayed in the first two semis games with Rain or Shine having multiple players stepping up while its key personnel struggled while enduring fatigue.
The break is something the Hotshots are embracing.
“Medyo mahirap kung natalo kami this tapos magbe-break. Although makakapahinga kami nasa isip namin na 0-3,” said Paul Lee. “At least yung momentum namin nandiyan na dahil nanalo kami.”