Unbeaten Hotshots gun for solo lead vs NLEX today
MAGNOLIA coach Chito Victolero expects a fierce challenge from bounce back-seeking NLEX when the unbeaten Hotshots gun for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup’s solo lead today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Road Warriors (4-2) have lost their last two games, which, Mr. Victolero noted, makes them all the more dangerous for his 4-0 charges.
“They (NLEX) are sure to bounce back hard so we need to be ready for that. Their aggressiveness and energy, siguradong mataas ‘yan so we have to at least match that,” Mr. Victolero said ahead of the 3 p.m. clash that ushers in the PBA’s second week of resumption and the return of a live audience.
NLEX mentor Yeng Guiao tasked his players to go for a strong start as opposed to their previous game, where they allowed Meralco to take control early and cruise to a 110-100 victory.
“We need good energy from the start. We could not dig ourselves out of the hole early on in our last game. We can’t make the same mistake against a team that’s still undefeated (Magnolia),” he said.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer (3-2) parades new import Orlando Johnson as it shoots for its fourth straight win in the 6 p.m. main game against skidding TnT (2-4). The Beermen brought in Mr. Johnson, who previously played for Ginebra in 2015, after starting the tournament with Brandon Brown.
The Tropang Giga, who are doing double duties with Gilas Pilipinas, seek to snap a two-game slide amid weary legs and injuries to key players RR Pogoy (calf) and Poy Erram (back). Coach Chot Reyes and his wards play their third match in six days with a fourth one set on Friday against Barangay Ginebra before embarking on Gilas’ FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers campaign.
Like TnT, opening-game protagonists Magnolia and NLEX are dealing with injury issues.
Calvin Abueva suffered a left calf strain in the Hotshots’ 96-93 win over TnT last Friday, joining Rome dela Rosa (hamstring) and James Laput (bone spurs) on sick bay. NLEX’ veteran Tony Semerad (calf) and rookie Calvin Oftana (fractured hand) got hurt in Friday’s duel with Meralco and would need a few weeks to recover. — Olmin Leyba
