MAGNOLIA and San Miguel Beer engage Sunday in a clash of two titans gunning for a high seeding and momentum ahead of their respective quarterfinal campaigns in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The Hotshots (7-3) and the Beermen (6-3) dispute third spot in the 4:35 p.m. marquee matchup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym with hopes of possibly vying for the No. 2 ranking and its twice-to-beat incentive against second-running Meralco.
"We can only think about things within our control and that is our game on Sunday," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
"Hindi namin kontrolado yung other games ng Meralco and San Miguel so we'll just focus on our game (against the Beermen). Whatever happens, at least we're in the quarters (already). "
With one game left, the Hotshots can finish with 8-3 at best. That's also the highest SMB can get if it hurdles its remaining outings against Magnolia and Alaska.
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The Bolts, however, have the inside track in the race for the remaining win-once playoffs bonus as they can reach as high as nine wins. They also beat both Magnolia and San Miguel in their elims encounters.
"It will depend on the outcome of other games, eh. Hindi naman ako nananalangin na matalo ang ibang teams. Iniisip na lang namin, we have to do our best to get into the right place," said SMB mentor Leo Austria.
"Kung manalo kami in our next two games, andoon kami sa best-of-three (quarterfinals); kung papalarin kami, you'll never know what will happen, baka magkaroon kami ng chance (for twice-to-beat)," he added.
The Beermen and the Hotshots primed up for this tough showdown by extracting morale-boosting victories last Friday.
Austria's charges demolished Phoenix, 110-80, while Victolero's crew eked out a dramatic 90-89 escape act over NorthPort on Calvin Abueva's buzzer-beating basket.
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For the Beermen, though, that victory was bitter-sweet as ace gunner Terrence Romeo hurt his Achilles tendon there. Romeo exited in the second quarter of that game and his availability against in the afternoon showdown with Paul Lee and Co. is doubtful. (OL)
