PBA Philippine Cup Final unfolds today
Credit to Author: THE MANILA TIMES| Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2019 16:17:14 +0000
The best-of-seven Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup Finals between defending champion San Miguel Beer and Magnolia starts at 7 p.m. tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.
SMB survived TNT KaTropa in the quarterfinals and Phoenix Pulse in the semis.
The Beermen are on their quest for a fifth straight Philippine Cup crown (they won the conference for a total of eight times) and 26th overall title since joining the league in 1975 as one of the founding members.
“They gained a lot of things since this is their third time in the Finals. Their skills have improved and gained more experiences,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria of their rivals. “In every series, Game 1 is so important because you’ll be able to dictate the game’s tempo.”
Austria stressed everything is unsure at the start of any series.
“We’re in a 50-50 situation. It is going to be a long series, but our team becomes sharper and stronger as the series gets longer,” added Austria, who will counting on June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos.
Marcio Lassiter, who was sidelined by back spasm in the semifinals, is set to return in Game 1 .
Meanwhile, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero is also keen to win Game 1. The Hotshots are coming from a 63-60 overtime win over the Elasto Painters in a thrilling Game 7 of the semifinals.
“Even if you are ahead 1-0, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to win the series. But it’s always good that you’re leading to dictate the series, so we have to prepare our best. Just like when we won the first two games of the last conference finals before winning the title all the way against Alaska,” he said.
Magnolia, who won the Governors’ Cup title against Alaska in six games last year, is hoping to bank on that experience against the Beermen.
JOSEF T. RAMOS
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