MAGNOLIA and Converge aim to sustain their fine form-and more-when they collide Wednesday in the opener of the PBA Philippine Cup's Golden Anniversary twin offerings at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Both the Hotshots and the FiberXers are eyeing a second straight victory, but see the match more as a gauge on where they are as a team this early in the season-ending tourney.
"It's a big test for us," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero whose side kicked off its campaign by dominating Blackwater, 106-84, last Friday.
"This early in the conference makakalaban namin sila, maganda na rin iyon kasi we want to see din kung ano pa 'yung kailangan naming i-improve, ano pa 'yung kailangan naming gawin through this challenge."
For his part Converge interim head coach Franco Atienza believes the game would go a long way in his youth-laden team's upward learning curve.
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"Magnolia has always been a title contender and unang game nila maganda inilaro nila doon. They dominated Blackwater, even using 15 players, tapos four guys in double digits and almost lahat ng ipinasok may contribution," noted Atienza.
"We look forward to that competition kasi you grow with that, mga better competitions, and we cherish that," added Atienza. "We cannot guarantee the outcome but one thing we can guarantee, the competition and hard work na ilalagay namin during that game."
Despite his side's masterful win over Blackwater, Victolero maintained there are still areas where they can improve on.
"'Yung consistency pa sa laro naming, plus 'yung execution on both ends," said Victolero, pointing out the 20 turnovers his Hotshots committed against the Bossing that almost negated their 21 assists.
"Every day and every preparation improvement lang kailangan namin. Ayusin pa ng konti execution," added Victolero.
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Converge has already showed it is a quick learner by avoiding its lapses in an 89-91 heartbreaker to Meralco in their first game and holding off Phoenix Super LPG, 92-83, last Sunday.
"Ganu'n ang type of games, na nasusubukan ka ng kabila. Babalik sila, bibigyan ka ng pressure, hindi mo ma-re-replicate sa practice iyon, eh. 'Yung pressure, 'yung kaba, 'yung nerves, hindi mo maituturo sa practice iyan dahil intangible, eh," said Atienza.
An interesting sidelight should be on how Magnolia's backcourt men in Mark Barroca, Paul Leeand Jerom Lastimosa fare against Converge counterparts Alec Stockton, Schonny Winston and JL delos Santos, as well as the inside battles Hotshots Ian Sangalang and Zavier Lucero engage in against the FiberXers' Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar.
"I think this is a close game, a dogfight from start to finish kasi both teams naman may talent. Halos parehas lang kami, walang lamang. Magandang matchup," said Victolero.
"Siguro magiging battle din ng role players, kung sino mag-i-step up after the main players from both teams. 'Yun 'yung question doon. Deep bench din kasi sila."(NC)
