THIS match easily brings in the crowd.
And it is still the expected scenario even as one side is on hot run and the other on a bumpy ride coming into their clash in the PBA Season 47 Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Sunday.
Unbeaten Barangay Ginebra seeks a third straight win while struggling Magnolia tries to steady the ship in search of a second win in five starts in their 6:30 face-off.
For their fanatics, the most important thing is that it is the Manila Classico - a match that they don't want to lose.
Coming from their Governors Cup title run, Scottie Thompson and his teammates are in work mode, not going through the so-called championship hangover phase.
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Thompson is churning out numbers he produced in his MVP run last campaign and the likes of Christian Standhardinger, Japeth Aguilar, Stanley Pringle and Arvin Tolentino are doing their own things.
LA Tenorio is the vintage LA Tenorio although playing off the bench in their first two games in the season.
Together, these guys put solid jobs together resulting in victories over Blackwater (85-82) and Rain or Shine (90-85).
The Hotshots are anything but hot, dropping their matches against TNT Tropang Giga, Converge and San Miguel Beer. Their lone win came at the expense of NorthPort.
Not helping Magnolia's cause is Paul Lee's health issue.
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The combo guard has been in and out for the Hotshots, sitting out their games against Converge and San Miguel.
Certainly, Magnolia's main problem is how to fill in the gaps, something coach Chito Victolero will carry on his shoulders in his battle with Tim Cone. (SB)
