The Star Hotshots, with monstrous import Ricardo Ratliffe, were the ones that really gave the San Miguel Beermen a fit last conference.
The two teams clashed in a colossal semis battle that many considered the virtual finale before the true championship series.
The Beermen and the Hotshots renew their rivalry as they clash at 7 p.m. Friday in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
They stake their identical 2-0 win-loss cards in a matchup that will feature an import showdown between Wendell McKines and Malcolm Hill.
McKines has proved to be a perfect fit for the Beermen, at least in their first two games where they eased past the Blackwater Elite (118-93) and the TNT KaTropa Texters (97-91).
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Hill, meanwhile, made good impression in his PBA debut, delivering in the crunch as Star crushed Alaska Milk, 101-92.
The sub import to Cinmeon Bowers scored 12 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter – all in crucial situations – as he lived up to expectation and helped the Hotshots to a second straight win in the season-ending tourney.
McKines and Hill are expected to put one another in a tough test. And so do the Beermen and the Hotshots.
“We have a good start in the tourney, same with them. We’re both riding a momentum going to our match. And so I expect a good battle,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
“They are a tough champion team. We definitely have to bring our A-game to compete with them,” said Star coach Chito Victolero.
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Against San Miguel, the Hotshots will see how they will fare against a tall team that is a concern to their coach.
“We have to prepare Hill against tall matchups. Yun ang problema namin,” said Victolero.
“He’s a player that can play multi-position. He knows how to win and he knows how to involve his teammates. Isa pang maganda sa kanya eh he wants to play defense. Eh yun ang laro namin,” said Victolero as to Hill’s strengths.
In his PBA debut, Hill operated mostly from the perimeter.
Back-to-back straight-away jumpers by the former Illinois U standout broke the back of the Aces at 99-91 with 1:11 left to play.
