Mar 19, 2018

Ian Sangalang knows what is like to lead 3-2 and go home empty-handed

ANTIPOLO CITY - Ian Sangalang and the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok remain wary of seeing history repeat itself even after taking a 3-2 lead over the NLEX Road Warriors in their PBA Philippine Cup semi-final series Sunday here.

The Hotshots leaned on a 16-4 run to start the fourth on their way to claiming an 87-78 victory and a step closer to arranging a title showdown with the defending champion San Miguel Beermen.

But Sangalang knows that such advantage is far from a guaranteed trip to the PBA's biggest stage, given how the Hotshots squandered a similar 3-2 lead in last season's Philippine Cup semis duel with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

In fact, the team then called the Star Hotshots won the first two games of that series, only to see Ginebra orchestrate its trademark "Never Say Die" spirit to steal a finals berth.

"We need to learn from our experiences last season. Kasi gantong-ganto 3-2," said Sangalang, who finished Game 5 with 12 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocks.

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"Hindi kami nagcelebrate kanina after the game, tahimik lang kami kasi gusto namin manalo next game," added Sangalang. "Hindi namin pwede ibigay sa kanila. Gusto namin kuhanin yung game. So ipupush namin kung anung magagawa namin, kung anung kaya naming gawin, gagawin namin."

Magnolia actually lost two semi-final series last season, which is why the thirst of finally getting over the hump is evident within the team.

The Hotshots are seeking their first finals appearance since 2014, when the squad known as the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers completed a grand slam with a five-game series win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Governors' Cup.

Sangalang, a rookie during that memorable season, is eager to make a return appearance.(JT)