Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok literally and figuratively drew first blood in the first game of its PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series with Meralco.
How the Hotshots could deal a deeper cut or if the Bolts could find the appropriate counter would be known when they tangle anew at 6p.m. on Wednesday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Magnolia is aiming to follow up its 88-79 victory in the opener of the best-of-seven duel last Sunday, but coach Chito Victolero knows it would not be easy.
"It's always a tough game, always a dogfight. Both teams naman may pride iyan saka they have a system also, they are a deep team also. Kumbaga, duguan bago ka maka-score," Victolero has said after Game One.
"So it's all about the discipline and execution. Nakita n'yo naman from start to finish close game. So siguro sa dulo lang magkakatalo talaga," added Victolero.
Ian Sangalang had 18 points and eight rebounds and Paul Lee added 17 points, but it was Calvin Abueva who largely brought about the Hotshots' initial win when he scattered eight points and also had two steals that sparked and sustained their fourth quarter surge from a 63-69 deficit.
Containing Magnolia's main scorers remains Meralco's top priority, along with generating more offense than what Bong Quinto, Anjo Caram, Mac Belo and Reynel Hugnatan initially delivered.
Aside from the X's and O's keeping emotions in check should also be a must since they are sure to spill over from the highly-charged opener.
Last Sunday, a total five technical fouls were called, started when Jackson Corpuz opened up a cut at the edge of Cliff Hodge's right eye after they got tangled up, still 3:49 left in the first quarter.
The heated moments were capped when Meralco's Allein Maliksi and Magnolia's Aris Dionisio exchanged some harsh words even after the final buzzer has sounded.
His side maintaining its composure like in Game One should be a huge factor for Sangalang. "Semis na ito so madaming emotions," said the southpaw center after the opener.
"Kaya kami nanalo sa game na ito kasi na-handle namin 'yung emotions na iyon," added Sangalang. "Once na-handle namin iyon, wala kaming ibang iniisip, laro lang kami and sila coach na bahala sa sidelines, mananalo kami."
