May 15, 2018

After Rain or Shine, Columbian Dyip out to get Magnolia out of its way

COLUMBIAN Dyip has gotten off to a fairly good start in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, but coach Ricky Dandan knows such a good thing won't last.

Still, it will not prevent the Dyip from continuing to try and earn respectability.

"A win for us against any team in the league is always huge," noted Dandan.

It is with such a belief, that it could now compete with the league heavyweights, that Columbian comes armed with when it tangles with Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Each team is looking for a second straight win with the Dyip also eyeing to cement their hold on fifth-running spot and the Hotshots trying to work up their way up the ladder after dropping their first game.

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Due to its past campaigns, the most recent of which is a runner-up finish in the Philippine Cup, Magnolia is the favorite against a Columbian side which has been a perennial cellar-dweller while still alternately known as Kia and Mahindra.

"We are looking forward to our matchup with Magnolia and even if they are highly favored we will again go all out to give ourselves a chance to win," said Dandan.

The Dyip have already come out on top in a grind-out game, outlasting erstwhile unbeaten Rain or Shine 104-96 last week.

Magnolia itself is no stranger to close games. In their most recent game, the Hotshots had to come up with an endgame surge before carving out a 92-87 win over GlobalPort last Saturday to bounce back from a more harrowing 87-89 shocker to Phoenix.

Magnolia coach Chito Victolero credited the win to his charges being able to play defense for the entire 48 minutes, something that should be done anew against Columbian.

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Execution on the other end should also be crucial, with John Fields, Rashawn McCarthy and Jerramy King leading Columbian and Vernon Macklin, Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee and Rome dela Rosa expected to banner Magnolia's thrusts.(NC)