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The PBA Season 47 Philippine Cup continues on Friday with a matchup between SAN Miguel and Magnolia Chicken Timplados at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Beermen still will be vigorously defending even their own established track record against the Hotshots at 6 p.m. Leading up to the game, San Miguel was already tied for the lead in the team rankings with Barangay Ginebra and Meralco.
San Miguel is off to a hot beginning inside the convention, having previously not really gone completely undefeated since the 2019 Governors’ Cup, when the team actually won four games straight. This last June 10, the Beermen soundly defeated NLEX 100 to 92 for their second victory.
SMB leader Leo Austria stated clearly therefore that the players involved are indeed motivated to begin the season on a positive note even after needing to play catch up in former conferences.
“Before the start of this conference, we told the boys na we should have a good start in order for us to get a good rhythm,” Austria stated. “In previous conferences, we never witnessed the team na in the first few games, nanalo kami. In fact, last conference, 0 to 2 agad kami… But this is nothing. A long way to go.” [ “In previous conferences, we never witnessed the team that in the first few games, we won. In fact, last conference, we received a 0 to 2 right away. … But this is nothing. A long way to go.” ]
The Hotshots are now finally coming off an 80 to 77 success over NorthPort on Wednesday to kick off a rigorous week that also includes a match against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday. The victory over the Batang Pier halted their skid, after they began the conference with a 0 to 2 result.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero feels that given that the Hotshots have a win, they will be able to resume their customary form.
“Hopefully, eto na ‘yung simula namin even though we have a hard week. We want that mental toughness,” Victolero remarked. [ “Hopefully, even though we have a hard week, this will be our simulation.” “We want that mental toughness,” ]
At 3 p.m., winless clubs Terrafirma and Phoenix Super LPG will face off.
The Dyip as well as the Fuel Masters are both 0 to 2 in conference games, with Terrafirma completely falling to NorthPort, 100 to 86, last Saturday, and Phoenix losing to Phoenix, 109 to 98, after blowing a 16-point advantage.
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