FOUR games away from a sweep of their assignments in PBA on Tour, the Magnolia Hotshots seek to keep their hot rampage with a challenging tiff versus reigning Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig Sunday.
The only unbeaten team in the preseason event, the Hotshots go for victory No. 8 against the San Miguel side, fresh from a momentum-building big win over the TNT Tropang Giga Friday.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. in a setto that could well feature explosive matchups in the backcourt.
Paul Lee, Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon have been their usual selves in the "On Tour," keeping the team afloat minus Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and others.
The Beermen, meanwhile, are at 3-6, with guards Jericho Cruz, Allyn Bulanadi and Marvin Lee the lead lights on their meager showing sans June Mar Fajardo, Vic Manuel, CJ Perez and many others.
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The Magnolia-San Miguel face-off could well be a duel among their backcourt aces.
And it could be a question of resolve, will and drive.
Odds could well be on the Hotshots, as Lee, Barroca, Jalalon and their teammates are looking to be taking a more serious approach in handling their preseason games presented by Arena Plus and sponsored by Bingo Plus.
"We're taking the PBA on Tour as seriously as possible so when we get to the regular season we're in good shape," said Jerrick Ahanmisi, who took Player of the Game honors when they hit the midpoint of their On Tour stint at 6-0 with a 125-89 blasting of the NorthPort Batang Pier last June 23.
They then made it 7-0 with a win over the Meralco Bolts the last time out.
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Meanwhile, the Beermen snapped a five-game slump with a rout of the Tropa Friday.
Coach Jorge Gallent and his crew are now raring to get going.(SB)
