The 2019 PBA Philippine Cup finale unfolds Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum - a rematch between the best and the best of the rest.
San Miguel Beer is no doubt the best - the league's barometer, having been the all-Filipino champ in the last four years. Add the fact that SMB had a formidable lineup made even more formidable by the addition of Christian Standhardinger and Terrence Romeo.
Magnolia Pambansang Manok, meanwhile, is the best of the rest, with its Governors Cup title run and having survived a tough struggle to gain the rights - once again - to challenge the titleholder.
Odds are stacked heavily on the champs' side, but the Hotshots are raring to prove they are worthy challengers and they're made of different stuff now than the ones easily clobbered by the Beermen in their previous title duel.
San Miguel needed five games to dispose of Magnolia in their race-to-four-games titular series last year.
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"I think nag-mature na kami. We've gained a lot of experience especially with the championship we won last conference. Malaking bagay iyon, yung experience at maturity na tangan na ngayon ng grupong ito," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero during the pre-finals press conference at the Sambokojin restaurant in Eastwood City.
"Isa lang ang bago sa team namin, si Mike Calisaan. The core group yun pa rin, so magandang chemistry na ang nabuo namin. Malaking bagay yon," Victolero added.
What the Hotshots have gone through to set up a grudge match with the Beermen is an achievement in itself. And it's not lost on SMB coach Leo Austria.
"Mabigat ang kanilang mga pinagdaanan na nagbigay sa kanila ng experience at maturity. And I believe they would be very competitive," said Austria.
The SMB bench chieftain said the Hotshots may be a better team now but the Beermen remain the team that has developed "a habit of winning."
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"Winning is a lifestyle for us. We have that great passion for winning," said Austria.
SMB is now set for its "drive for five" while Magnolia is intent on ending a five-year drought on the league's most prestigious tourney.
"This will be a big test for us to prove if we're really the best team," said SMB forward Arwind Santos in their bid to accomplish something that has never been done in the league's history.
"For us, one fourth lang yata ng composition ng team ang nakatikim na ng all-Filipino championship. Motivation sa amin na makuha yan," said Victolero.
The Hotshots, however, admit they're faced with a big, big test.
"Mahirap dahil San Miguel ang kalaban. We're the underdogs, ibibigay lang namin ang 100 percent every game, kung ano ang result, happy kami. Kung sa dulo, may chance, we'll grab it," said Paul Lee.
Victolero insists it's not June Mar Fajardo alone.
"Buong SMB team ang concern namin. Grabe ang samahan nila, grabe ang maturity nila. Kami nagsisimula pa lang. Pero excited din naman kami kung ano ang nangyayari sa team namin. As long as meron chemistry, we have a chance," said Victolero. (SB)
