Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia Pambansang Manok are both titleholders from their championship conquests in the import-laden conferences last season. But only one of them will go on to contend for the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup crown.
The Gin Kings, the Commissioner's Cup titlists, and the Hotshots, the Governors Cup champs, clash in an explosive best-of-three quarterfinals showdown beginning Saturday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
"More than it being the Manila Clasico, it's the first game of a short series, therefore that makes it crucial for both teams," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
The Gin Kings and the Hotshots have found themselves pitted in a rematch of their semifinal showdown last conference after they ended up No. 3 and No. 6, respectively, in the one-round-robin elimination phase.
The Kings prevailed in their elims setto, 97-93, on March 17, but the Hotshots were the victors in their last playoff matchup in the Governors Cup Final Four.
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It makes for an interesting series against old, fierce rivals both in top shape heading to the Petron Saturday Special playoff play.
"I do believe we're peaking at the right time and we're looking forward to our battle with Ginebra," said coach Chito Victolero, whose Magnolia chargers ride the momentum of a three-game romp entering Game One of their race-to-two-games series with the Kings.
"We know Paul Lee and company are going to be ready so we need to be at our best," said Cone.
Lee sustained a hot shooting from his record-setting performance in the All-Star Game, firing away six treys in an effort that rubbed off on his teammates as Magnolia crushed NLEX, 102-74, to arrange the quarters matchup with Ginebra Wednesday.
Later that night, the Kings played their last game in the elims against the NorthPort Batang Pier. They came up short as Cone opted to rest his core players in the crunch.
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Nonetheless, Cone was happy with their showing and the little rest his top guns got in preparation for the Hotshots.
Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter and LA Tenorio are to be thrust back at the lead of their campaign versus a Magnolia side to be presided over by pesky guards Lee, Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon.
Tenorio will surely need all the help he can get from the other Ginebra backcourt players as they face the vaunted Magnolia guards.
Lee, Barroca and Jalalon played key roles in their 3-1 conquest of the Kings in the last Governors Cup semis. And the trio dished out heckuva performances all the way to their successful run in the finals.
Magnolia's problem, however, is how to match up with the taller and heftier Ginebra frontcourt. (SB)
