MERALCO has pushed Ginebra against the ropes but there’s still something gnawing at acting coach Luigi Trillo — the fact that the Kings have managed to find a way out in their previous battles.
“They’ve beaten us every series. This is just one game. We need one more game. So, as much as the guys played well you know what Ginebra’s about,” Trillo said.
“They’re gonna come back hard in the second game. We have to go back to the drawing board and see what we can do, make them uncomfortable,” he added.
The Bolts try to bring down the Kings when they clash anew today in Game 2 of their best-of-3 quarterfinals duel in the PBA Philippine Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
The match is set at 3 p.m., with Meralco seeking to forge a best-of-7 semifinals series opposite San Miguel Beer, which made short work of Blackwater 123-93 in their quarterfinals tiff last Wednesday night.
Magnolia, also armed with a 1-0 lead, takes on NLEX in the nightcap at 6 p.m. in its bid to reach the semis of the season-opening tourney against defending champion TNT.
With Trillo still calling the shots in lieu of head coach Norman Black who is still in the United States, the Bolts humbled Ginebra 93-82 in the opener five days ago.
The likes of Chris Newsome, Aaron Black, Allein Maliksi, Cliff Hodge, Bong Quinto, and Raymond Almazan will be counted upon by Meralco.
The Kings will pin their hopes on reigning MVP Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, Japeth Aguilar, Arvin Tolentino, Stanley Pringle, and LA Tenorio to send the race-to-2 showdown to a deciding Game 3 on a date and venue yet to be announced by the pro league.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said his team is determined to end an eight-year title dry spell in the import-less tilt.
“We will try to be in the finals again but again it’s a long journey. Matagal pa iyon. Mahaba pa and we just started the series but of course, that’s the big picture,” Victolero said after his charges turned back the Road Warriors 98-89 in Game 1 last Sunday.
“Kapag sumali ka sa PBA, you want to be a champion, right? But malayo pa kami doon. We experienced to be in the finals and iyon iyong nagbibigay sa amin ng motivation to go hard in every single practice para makapag-prepare ng maayos.”
Magnolia will pin its hopes on Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Jio Jalalon, and Calvin Abueva.
Calvin Oftana, JR Quiñahan, Don Trollano and Justin Chua will lead NLEX’s charge.
Kevin Alas and Kris Rosales are also expected to return for the Road Warriors after sitting out Game 1 due to health and safety protocols.
