MERALCO and Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok got into the PBA Governors' Cup semifinals via the short route, disposing off their respective quarterfinals foes in lopsided fashions.
Both the Bolts and Hotshots expect a totally different story when they start their best-of-five duel Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
"I think this going to be a dogfight," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero following his top-ranked side's 127-88 romp over Phoenix Super LPG last Friday.
"We expect this is gonna be a very good series because both teams go hard, play defense, we both grind it out," added Victolero. "We don't expect it to be easy."
Game time is 3 p.m.
Meralco coach Norman Black also foresees his team having his hands full this time around, unlike when it easily hurdled San Miguel Beer, 100-85, earlier Friday to realize a fourth straight semis stint in the same tourney and a second straight Final Four meeting with Magnolia.
"Magnolia is a whole different story," said Black following the Fuel Masters game.
"They're pretty much the powerhouse team in the PBA and their import is probably right up there with the top imports in the league. So they're a problem. They're a problem we're gonna have to try to solve."
Indeed, Mike Harris has been a force to be reckoned with for the Hotshots, averaging 29.64 points, 13.73 rebounds and 1.91 assists per game.
It is not just the former Best Import awardee Victolero would be relying on. Magnolia also boasts of Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang, Rome dela Rosa and Jio Jalalon, to name a few.
Meralco's lineup may not seem like it's as loaded, but Black believes it has what it takes to compete in at least Magnolia's level. "We're not a powerhouse team... but I believe we can beat any team on any night," said Black. "No team is unbeatable, in other words."
The Bolts almost had the full game to back Black's statement up the only time the two teams met in the elimination round last March 3, with the Bolts racing to an early 16-point lead, only to get eaten up whole by a furious Hotshots fightback that ultimately led to an 88-85 win by the latter.
What should compound Black's problem is the fact Magnolia won that game despite Abueva, Dela Rosa and Sangalang sitting that one out due to injuries. All three are back for at least the series opener.
