When the joint leaders play Magnolia in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup on Holy Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, San Miguel coach Leo Austria anticipates a difficult matchup.

Austria stated that the Hotshots’ better play, which resulted in a 2-0 conference win-loss start, no longer surprises him. He knows what their opponent is capable of because the Beermen lost to Magnolia in a pre-All-Filipino Conference tune-up game.

Austria said, “It will be a huge game for us against Magnolia,” “I’m really worried about Magnolia because they are playing a lot better. You can see it naman, from start to finish, they are using six big men, and we have only four.”

The world versus June Mar.

Austria stated that the June Mar Fajardo-led SMB will face difficulties because of the Hotshots’ extensive frontcourt rotation.

With players like James Laput and Russell Escoto supporting Ian Sangalang and Zavier Lucero during the last two games, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero has been extending the playing time of his big men.

In the league’s 50th birthday game at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last week, Sangalang finished with 18 points and nine rebounds as the Hotshots defeated Converge 83-71.

However, Austria anticipates a competitive match against Magnolia, similar to the tune-up match in which the Beermen were able to stay on pace.

After defeating Meralco 110-98, which also happened to be the league’s 50th anniversary, San Miguel remained unbeaten.

Austria’s goal is for his players to be able to play above the defensive intensity of the Hotshots.

Meanwhile, following a severe bout of the flu, Jason Perkins made his Phoenix comeback in the PBA Philippine Cup.

The 32-year-old big man, however, stated that even if he shocked the reigning champion Meralco Bolts 109-97 in the Fuel Masters, he is still not completely healthy.

Perkins ended with 19 points and five rebounds in his first game in the all-Filipino conference, going 6-of-12 from the floor to help Phoenix win its first game after losing its first two games.

But according to Perkins, he is far from returning to his normal self.

Fortunately, the Fuel Masters’ next matchup with Magnolia is scheduled for April 26 in Zamboanga City.

Ten days is a fair amount of time for Perkins to recover and stay healthy.

The two-time De La Salle UAAP champion stated. “I’m not physically where I want to be. But I just keep on trying,” 

Perkins says the lengthy hiatus will also help the Fuel Masters improve after they lost to Terrafirma and Converge in a row before defeating the Bolts.

Despite his health condition and what he described as the Fuel Masters’ mistakes, Perkin’s return and the opportunity to play against the rest of the squad is enough to make him grin.